Photo courtesy of Anadolu
Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said peace along the India-China border remained the foundation for restoring normal relations between the two countries.
Jaishankar made the remarks during a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday in Manila, where the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and related gatherings were being held.
He said India sought a stable and cooperative relationship with China based on mutual respect, shared interests and sensitivity to each country’s concerns.
The Indian foreign minister added that stronger ties between the two neighbors could contribute to a more multipolar Asia and a more balanced global order.
Jaishankar noted that bilateral relations had gradually improved since October 2024 and urged both governments to continue supporting mechanisms aimed at managing border issues.
He said differences between India and China were inevitable but stressed that both sides had agreed these should not escalate into disputes.
The Indian foreign minister welcomed the resumption of direct flights, updated visa arrangements and the revival of border trade as signs of improving engagement.
However, he said further work was needed to address market access, trade imbalances and supply chain concerns, while also expanding official contacts and people-to-people exchanges.