China’s Foreign Minister’s Visit to India

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently visited New Delhi from August 18th to 19th, 2025, marking his first-ever visit to India in three years. The visit encouraged both India and China to restore their diplomatic relations.

FM Wang Yi’s visit began with his meeting with External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, where the emphasis was on restoring trust and stabilising bilateral ties. Jaishankar called for a constructive approach to diplomacy and remarked that “the differences must not become disputes”, signalling a willingness to engage in dialogues without ignoring the core challenges between the two Asian powers.

A major focus of the visit was the 24th round of the Special Representatives’ Talks on the boundary dispute between FM Wang Yi and India’s National Security Adviser, Ajit Doval. After years of limited talks since the Galwan Clashes of 2020, both countries agreed to set up an Expert Group to pursue “early-harvest” progress on boundary delimitation, and a working group under the WMCC (Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs) to promote peace along the borders.

On the economic front, China has offered to help India with its supply needs, particularly in rare earths, fertilizers, and tunnel-boring machines, areas where India relies on Chinese exports.

Diplomatic goodwill extended across multiple fronts. India and China have committed to resuming direct flights, revamping the Air Services Agreement, and simplifying visa processes, laying the foundation for smoother tourist, business, and media exchange. Border trade via Lipulekh, Shipki La, and Nathu La will restart, and the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage is set to be expanded in 2026.

Amid renewed optimism, both leaders positioned the visit as a platform for reinforcing regional stability. Wang Yi echoed this sentiment, presenting the dialogue as a chance to “properly handle differences,” “enhance political mutual trust,” and advance “practical cooperation.”

The visit also set the stage for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming trip to Tianjin, China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit at the end of August. This will be his first visit to China in seven years showing renewed efforts at international cooperation during a time of global tensions.

In sum, FM Wang Yi’s visit to Delhi represents more than diplomatic optics, it lays the groundwork for a sustained reset in this diplomatic relationship. Through de-escalation measures, trade cooperation, eased travel, and functional dialogue mechanisms, both nations are incrementally restoring confidence.

_{Images are for reference only.Images and contents gathered automatic from google or 3rd party sources.All rights on the images and contents are with their legal original owners.}