NEW DELHI — India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on June 22 held “constructive and forward-looking” talks on the sidelines of a BRICS security officials’ meeting, with both sides saying relations are showing signs of improvement.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the meeting reviewed recent developments in bilateral ties but gave no specifics. China’s Foreign Ministry quoted Wang as saying relations are “gradually emerging from a low point and returning to a track of recovery and improvement,” and urged that the border issue be kept in “an appropriate position” so it does not derail broader cooperation.
The meeting comes amid efforts to repair ties strained after a deadly 2020 border clash that prompted India to curb Chinese investment, ban numerous Chinese apps and tighten visa rules. Recent months have seen tentative thawing: direct flights have resumed, some investment restrictions were eased, and Beijing has pledged to import more Indian goods to help reduce the trade imbalance.
Despite these gestures, New Delhi insists that lasting normalisation depends on restoring peace and stability along the disputed frontier. Jaiswal said both sides “noted progress towards gradual normalisation,” while Wang called for bolstered exchanges in trade, finance, law enforcement and media to sustain improvement.