Chinese Foreign Minister Calls for Stable Relations with India Amid Simmering Military Tensions
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on the sidelines of ASEAN meetings in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta on July 13-14, 2023 and urged mutual support between the two nations to stabilize their bilateral ties amid simmering military tensions along their vast border.
The relationship between China and India has been marked by historical border disputes, with the countries sharing a 3,800-km (2,360-mile) frontier, much of it poorly marked. Back in 1962, they fought a brief but bloody war over the disputed border territory.
Despite past conflicts, ties had improved since the 1990s following a series of border agreements, and China became India’s second-largest trading partner.
However, a setback in 2020 reignited tensions when a border clash resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers and four Chinese soldiers, prompting both sides to fortify their positions and deploy large numbers of troops and equipment along the border.
In an effort to ease the simmering military tensions, several rounds of military and diplomatic talks were held between the two armies, but New Delhi remained cautious, describing the situation on the border as fragile and dangerous.
During the meeting on 14th July, China’s top diplomat Wang Yi stressed the importance of finding a solution to the border issues that both China and India could accept. He emphasized the need for mutual support and collaboration, urging the two nations not to let specific issues define their overall relationship.
As a positive step towards resolving the long-standing border disputes, the two sides agreed to hold the next round of military commander-level talks on border issues at an early date, as announced by the Chinese foreign ministry.
Aside from the military tensions, India took measures against Chinese businesses in 2020, including banning over 300 Chinese apps, including TikTok, and intensifying scrutiny of Chinese investments in the country. In response to India’s recent restrictions against Chinese companies, Wang Yi called for a fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies operating in India.
As China and India continue to navigate their complex bilateral ties, the international community keeps a close watch on their efforts to find common ground and stability along their shared border. The call for stable relations and mutual understanding between the two Asian neighbors remains crucial in promoting peace and cooperation in the region.
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