China and India commit to maintaining their diplomatic relations

China and India Strengthen Ties in Bilateral Talks

In a significant development, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar held talks on August 18, 2025, marking a positive step towards strengthening the bilateral relationship between the two nations. This year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and India.

The talks focused on various international and regional issues of mutual concern. Jaishankar reaffirmed India's commitment to deepen trust, enhance trade, and increase people-to-people exchanges, using the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations as an opportunity. Wang Yi, on the other hand, emphasised the need for China and India, as the world's two largest developing nations with a combined population of 2.8 billion, to act with global responsibility and promote multipolarity.

The discussions covered a wide range of topics, including strengthening political mutual trust, enhancing cooperation in economy and trade, promoting people-to-people exchanges, jointly maintaining peace and tranquility in border areas, resuming direct flights, facilitating trade and investment flows, cooperating on cross-border rivers, reopening border trade through Himalayan passes, easing visas for tourists and business visitors, expanding visits to sacred Indian pilgrimage sites in Kailash-Manasarovar, and China lifting bans on the export of rare earths, fertilizers, and heavy equipment for tunnel construction to India.

Both ministers expressed satisfaction with the current state of bilateral relations, with Jaishankar stating that relations between China and India have improved and are moving toward normalization in various fields. Wang Yi also noted that bilateral ties are showing a positive trend, with exchanges resuming and peace maintained in border areas.

However, the talks did not disclose any new information about the maintenance of peace in border areas or any specific details about the areas of cooperation or the steps to be taken to maintain the bilateral ties. Furthermore, no disputes or conflicts between the two countries were mentioned in the talks.

Jaishankar pledged support for China's hosting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tianjin, and Wang Yi suggested that China and India should view each other as partners and pursue common development. The Indian Foreign Minister also expressed gratitude to China for facilitating Indian pilgrims' visits to Xizang.

In conclusion, while the talks did not reveal any groundbreaking developments, they underscored the commitment of both countries to strengthen their relationship and work together on issues of mutual concern. As the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations approaches, there is a renewed sense of optimism that the relationship between China and India will continue to grow and flourish.