BEIJING: China’s top diplomat is set to visit India next week to discuss their shared border, the Chinese foreign ministry announced Saturday, as both countries explore resuming cross-border trade after a five-year pause.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi will travel to India at Delhi’s invitation from Monday to Wednesday for the “24th Special Representatives Meeting on the China-India Border Issue,” a ministry spokesperson said.
While trade across the high-altitude Himalayan passes has historically been limited in volume, any resumption carries symbolic significance. Trade was suspended following a deadly border clash in 2020.
Indian media reported this week that Wang is expected to hold talks in New Delhi on Monday. He will meet India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, the Indian foreign ministry confirmed. Wang will also meet with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, who visited Beijing in July.
The two Asian giants have long competed for strategic influence in South Asia, but recent global trade tensions—especially following US tariffs under former President Donald Trump—have prompted both sides to seek rapprochement.
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In recent weeks, Chinese and Indian officials have indicated discussions on resuming border trade. Efforts to restore direct flights and issue tourist visas are also part of the broader push to rebuild bilateral relations.
Potential Impact on Pakistan:
A thaw in China-India relations could have significant implications for Pakistan. Improved ties may shift regional economic dynamics, particularly in South Asia, where China has been a major strategic partner of Pakistan through projects like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Closer China-India cooperation may also affect Pakistan’s strategic leverage in the region, potentially prompting Islamabad to recalibrate its foreign and trade policies to maintain its influence and secure its interests amid evolving regional alignments.