Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met his Indian counterpart, S. Jaishankar, on Monday, emphasizing the need for both countries to expand cooperation amid what China described as “overwhelming bullying” and severe challenges to free trade.
The statement came from Beijing’s Foreign Ministry and highlights concerns over rising international trade pressures.
The meeting coincides with U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat of an additional 25% tariff on India for purchasing Russian crude oil, which could significantly impact Indian exporters. Wang’s discussions with Jaishankar aimed to strengthen bilateral ties and provide global economic stability.
Jaishankar noted the recent difficult period in India-China relations and expressed a desire to move forward without letting differences escalate into disputes or conflict. “Overall, it is our expectation that our discussions would contribute to building a stable, cooperative and forward-looking relationship between India and China,” he said.
During his visit, Wang Yi will also meet India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval to discuss the ongoing border dispute before calling on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday. The visit is seen as preparatory for Modi’s upcoming bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, marking Modi’s first visit to China in seven years.
Relations between the two nations have gradually improved following the Galwan Valley clash five years ago. Recent steps include Beijing easing urea export restrictions, India reinstating tourist visas for Chinese nationals, and an increase in Indian-Chinese business collaborations, including technology partnerships.
