New Delhi: India and China have agreed to accelerate efforts to restart direct air links between the two nations and to hold discussions to address trade-related concerns. This decision was made during a high-level meeting between Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong, who is on a two-day visit to New Delhi from June 12 to 13.
According to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs, the Foreign Secretary expressed hope for an early finalization of an updated Air Services Agreement. Both sides also agreed to undertake practical measures to simplify visa procedures and promote exchanges between media organizations and think-tanks. Moreover, the two countries will hold specific functional dialogues, including in the areas of trade and economics, to discuss and resolve particular issues of concern.
During their discussions, the officials reviewed the state of India-China bilateral relations since their previous meeting in Beijing on January 27. They committed to working towards stabilizing and rebuilding their relationship, with an emphasis on people-centered engagements.
Misri acknowledged China’s cooperation in the upcoming Kailash Manasarovar Yatra, which is resuming this month after a five-year pause. He also referenced talks held in April among experts regarding cooperation on trans-border rivers, including sharing hydrological data, and expressed hope for progress in that area.
Both sides also positively regarded the activities planned for the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and China, agreeing to facilitate these initiatives.
The resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage, with the first group of 750 pilgrims departing, is viewed as a positive development in improving relations that had been strained due to military tensions in Ladakh. The talks and the yatra’s revival come amid easing border tensions. Additionally, Foreign Secretary Misri had visited Beijing in January this year as part of efforts to strengthen diplomatic ties between the two nations.