Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is in India for a two-day visit starting today. Discussions during Wang Yi’s visit may focus on measures for lasting peace and stability on the India-China border. This visit comes before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s trip to China later this month, and it is seen as an effort to mend relations between the two countries.
Following a clash in the Galwan Valley in 2020 between the armies of the two countries, tensions arose in their relationship. Both sides have withdrawn their soldiers from the areas of conflict, but the situation is still not calm. Currently, between 50,000 and 60,000 soldiers from both countries are deployed along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.
This visit is also significant in light of the increasing tensions in India-US relations. US President Donald Trump has doubled the tariffs on Indian goods to 50%, which includes an additional 25% penalty for purchasing Russian oil. Discussions on India-China trade may also take place with Wang Yi.
The Chinese Foreign Minister will hold special talks on the border issue with India’s National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval. Wang and Doval are the nominated Special Representatives for border talks. Doval went to China in December 2024, during which he held special representative talks with Wang.
Wang Yi will arrive in New Delhi around 4:15 pm on Monday. He will hold bilateral talks with Foreign Minister S Jaishankar at 6 pm. On Tuesday morning, he will have talks with NSA Ajit Doval at 11 am. In these meetings, both sides may discuss several major issues, including the border situation, trade, and the restoration of flight services. Afterwards, the Chinese Foreign Minister will meet with Prime Minister Modi at his residence at 5:30 pm.
Prime Minister Modi is visiting China for a 2-day trip starting August 31. He will participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting in Beijing. Modi last visited China in 2018. This will be Modi’s sixth visit to China as Prime Minister.