China-India talks deemed positive
Chinese foreign minister’s meetings in New Delhi and Kathmandu address key regional issues
State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to South Asia focused on both regional and global issues and enhanced ties and cooperation with China’s neighbors, say analysts.
The whirlwind six-day tour included stops in India, Nepal, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
In New Delhi on March 25, Wang and Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar called for diplomacy and dialogue to end the Ukraine crisis. Both countries emphasized the importance of a cease-fire in Ukraine. The two have adopted a similar stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict over the past month, including at the United Nations.
Wang also met on March 25 with Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. It was the first visit by a prominent Chinese official since the Galwan Valley clash of border soldiers in which both sides suffered casualties in June 2020.
In Kathmandu, the last stop on his trip, Wang held talks with Nepal’s President Bidhya Devi Bhandari, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and Foreign Minister Narayan Khadka.
For Indian professor Karori Singh, the face-to-face discussions of Indian and Chinese foreign ministers show that two of the oldest civilizations are shouldering global responsibility toward peace and prosperity.
Singh, former director of the South Asia Studies Centre at the University of Rajasthan, said the ministerial-level talk enhances their evolving common approach and collaboration on global issues for shaping the emerging world order.
The visit was a positive step “as it came after a long time and it was long overdue”, said Ritu Agarwal, an associate professor at the Centre for East Asian Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi.
The top diplomats have been candid and sincere on maintaining peace along their border as well.
India has stressed the importance of resolving the border standoff on mutually acceptable terms. Wang saw the issue as only part of the whole picture of bilateral relations and encouraged mutual benefits and long-term gains despite differences.
Thousands of Indian and Chinese troops are deployed on their highaltitude border. Earlier, a dozen rounds of talks were held between the senior military officers of the two sides. Both agreed on the importance of early and complete disengagement in remaining areas to take forward bilateral ties.
“Restoration of peace and tranquility will help build mutual trust and create enabling environment for progress in relations,” Doval was quoted as saying.
Issues such as Indian students stranded in China were also discussed. The students’ plight was exacerbated by Indian authorities’ decisions to block the access of 231 Chinese apps in India since June 2020, citing a threat to India’s security. A number of Chinese universities use some blocked apps for online lectures and exchanges.
Wang gave an assurance that issues such as that of the students would be resolved.
At Wang’s talks in Kathmandu, the two sides, China and Nepal, agreed that deepening practical cooperation not only serves the needs of both countries but will also inject strong impetus into regional development and prosperity.
When meeting with Khadka, Wang reaffirmed that China supports Nepal in finding a development path suited to its national conditions and pursuing independent domestic and foreign policies.
China supports Nepal in greater participation in the Belt and Road Initiative and is willing to push forward key cooperation projects between the two sides, he added.
Wang called for the two sides to ensure the smooth running of land ports in their nations, explore crossborder cooperation in electricity and expand channels for economic and people-to-people exchanges.
He highlighted the building of the
Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network to ensure a bond of friendly cooperation between the two countries.
Khadka thanked China for supporting Nepal’s efforts to safeguard its sovereignty and independence and oppose external interference.
Deuba, Nepal’s prime minister, said Nepal supports and will actively join in the Global Development Initiative proposed by China.
On March 26, Wang Yi and Khadka witnessed the joint signing of a series of cooperation documents.
On the same day, Wang and Deuba attended via video link the celebration ceremony for the completion of Pokhara International Airport. The airport is China’s largest aid project in Nepal and a key Belt and Road cooperation project.