Jayashankar and Wang Yi discuss border peace and global issues in Manila meeting

In Manila, External Affairs Minister S. Jayashankar held a comprehensive discussion with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, covering a spectrum of topics from border tranquility to worldwide geopolitical trends. The Indian minister highlighted that the relationship between India and China is slowly moving toward a more normal footing, a shift that gained momentum after the October 2024 Kazan summit and a follow‑up meeting in Tianjin. Both sides agreed that a peaceful and stable border environment forms the foundation for any substantive bilateral cooperation. Since October 2024, continuous diplomatic efforts have aimed to safeguard this stability. The conversation also touched upon confidence‑building measures such as the resumption of direct flights, streamlined visa arrangements, the restart of the Kailash‑Manaslu pilgrimage circuit, and the revival of cross‑border trade. While praising recent steps, Jayashankar stressed that challenges remain, including ensuring fair market access for Indian companies, addressing trade imbalances, and enhancing people‑to‑people interaction. He also lauded China's support during India's BRICS chairmanship and reaffirmed the need for coordinated action on pressing international matters.