Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has urged that China and India should treat each other as partners rather than rivals, during talks with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in New Delhi. The remarks were shared in an official readout from China’s foreign ministry following the meeting.
According to the Chinese statement, Wang said the two neighbors need to establish a “correct strategic understanding” by respecting each other’s legitimate concerns, managing differences, and avoiding confrontation. He added that Beijing is ready to work with New Delhi under the principles of “cordiality and mutual benefit.”
The visit marks Wang Yi’s first trip to India in several years, with discussions covering border management, regional stability, and economic cooperation. He also held talks with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and was scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi as part of his engagements.
India has maintained that peace and stability along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) remain essential for advancing bilateral relations. Border tensions in Ladakh since 2020 have strained ties, despite multiple rounds of diplomatic and military-level talks.
Observers see Wang’s “partners, not rivals” framing as a sign that Beijing wants to stabilize relations with New Delhi amid global economic shifts and growing strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific. However, analysts caution that deep mistrust over territorial disputes and India’s strengthening ties with the United States and other Indo-Pacific partners could limit progress.
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If realized, a partnership-oriented approach could unlock new opportunities in trade, regional security, and cooperation in multilateral forums such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
