China Expresses Willingness to Work with India to Restore Bilateral Relations

Chinese Foreign Ministry emphasizes respect for core interests, dialogue, and resolution of differences ahead of high-level talks.

Beijing [China], December 18: China has expressed readiness to collaborate with India in implementing key agreements reached by their leaders and restoring stable bilateral relations. The Chinese Foreign Ministry highlighted the importance of mutual respect for core interests, strengthening trust through dialogue, and resolving differences sincerely and in good faith.

During a press briefing on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian stated, “China is ready to work with India to implement the important common understandings between the leaders of China and India, respect each other’s core interests and major concerns, strengthen mutual trust through dialogue and communication, properly settle differences with sincerity and good faith, and bring bilateral relations back to the track of stable and healthy development as soon as possible.”

This statement comes ahead of the 23rd meeting of the Special Representatives (SR) between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, scheduled to be held in Beijing today.

Focus on Border Issue

The high-level talks mark the first SR meeting since December 2019 and will address border issues between the two nations. According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the discussions aim to manage peace and stability along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and seek a fair, mutually acceptable resolution to the boundary question.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, while addressing Parliament last week, noted that disengagement between Indian and Chinese forces in Eastern Ladakh had been achieved through a phased process, concluding in Depsang and Demchok. He underscored that maintaining peace along the LAC is crucial for the broader development of India-China relations.

Progress and Ongoing Challenges

In October 2023, both nations reached an agreement on patrolling arrangements along the LAC, representing incremental progress in diffusing tensions. The border standoff, which began in 2020 due to Chinese military actions in Eastern Ladakh, caused a significant strain in bilateral relations.

During their interaction at the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, earlier this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping reaffirmed the importance of border stability and mutual trust as foundational to the relationship between the two countries.