India, China hold talks to rebuild ties with focus on people-centric engagements, trade
New Delhi, Jun 13: India and China have agreed to take steps to stabilize and rebuild their bilateral relationship, with a renewed emphasis on people-centric engagement, economic dialogue, and connectivity. The development came during a meeting between Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong in New Delhi on June 12, during the latter’s two-day official visit to India. The two diplomats reviewed progress in bilateral relations since their last meeting in Beijing on January 27, 2025, and reaffirmed their commitment to continue constructive engagement on various fronts. One of the key outcomes of the meeting was India’s appreciation of China’s cooperation in facilitating the resumption of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra this year, an important religious pilgrimage for Indian devotees that had remained suspended in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and bilateral tensions.
The two sides also discussed ongoing cooperation on trans-border rivers, referencing the April 2025 meeting of the Expert Level Mechanism. Foreign Secretary Misri expressed hope for concrete progress on the resumption of hydrological data sharing, which is crucial for flood forecasting and water management in India’s Himalayan region.
In a move toward restoring travel and connectivity, both sides agreed to expedite the resumption of direct air services between India and China. Misri also stressed the need for an updated Air Services Agreement, highlighting the importance of restoring civilian and commercial links disrupted since the pandemic. The discussions also touched on visa facilitation, as well as increased exchanges between media, academic institutions, and think-tanks, as part of broader efforts to rebuild mutual understanding. Both sides welcomed the initiatives planned to mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and China in 2025, and agreed to support the commemorative events.
Additionally, the meeting paved the way for the resumption of functional dialogues, particularly in the economic and trade domains, to address sector-specific concerns. The commitment to hold discussions on trade issues signals a cautious step forward in re-engaging on economic matters amid existing differences over market access, investment regulations, and bilateral imbalances. The meeting between Misri and Sun is part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to manage differences and explore areas of cooperation, even as broader challenges, particularly along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), continue to define the complex relationship between Asia’s two largest nations.
