Steps to rebuild bilateral relations announced during Foreign Secretary’s visit to Beijing; Mansarovar pilgrimage to restart in summer; Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi calls for ending ‘mutual suspicion and estrangement’
India and China have agreed to take significant steps toward rebuilding their strained relationship, including resuming direct flights, issuing visas, restarting the Mansarovar Yatra for pilgrims in the summer of 2025, and reviving dialogue on trans-border rivers. The measures were announced during Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s visit to Beijing, where he met Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The agreements come three months after both nations negotiated an end to the military standoff at the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
The resumption of these initiatives marks a major step in improving relations, which have been under strain since the Galwan Valley clashes in 2020 that claimed the lives of 20 Indian soldiers. Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized the importance of ending “mutual suspicion and estrangement,” calling for both countries to work toward “mutual understanding, support, and achievement.” He stressed that the improvement of Sino-Indian ties would benefit not just the two nations but also the broader Global South.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that both nations have agreed to resume direct flights, initiate the Mansarovar Yatra in the summer, and restart hydrological data sharing on trans-border rivers, which China had withheld for years. Plans to facilitate people-to-people exchanges, including media and think tank interactions, were also discussed. The India-China Expert Level Mechanism will oversee the resumption of hydrological data sharing and other cooperative efforts related to river management.
The agreements were part of a broader effort to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and China, with both sides planning several celebratory events throughout the year.
Despite record trade levels, both nations have been at odds over economic restrictions. China has raised concerns about India’s 2020 policy requiring government clearance for investments from neighbouring countries, denial of business visas, and investigations into Chinese telecom companies. Meanwhile, India has criticized China for limiting exports of pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), high-tech products, and critical infrastructure equipment like Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs).
During the meeting, the officials addressed these economic concerns with the aim of resolving disputes and fostering a stable, transparent, and predictable trade environment. The MEA’s statement emphasized the importance of addressing these issues to promote long-term economic cooperation.
Foreign Secretary Misri’s visit to Beijing marked the revival of the FS-Vice FM bilateral dialogue mechanism, which had been dormant since 2020 due to the pandemic and the LAC tensions. His meetings with Chinese officials, including Foreign Minister Wang Yi and the Chinese Communist Party’s International Department Minister Liu Jianchao, highlighted the gradual restoration of regular bilateral engagements between the two nations.
The visit followed earlier high-level meetings between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping in October, as well as discussions between the Foreign Ministers, Defence Ministers, and Special Representatives. However, Indian officials declined to comment on whether these revived dialogues would include another informal summit between Modi and Xi, similar to those held in Wuhan in 2018 and Mamallapuram in 2020.
The resumption of the Mansarovar Yatra is particularly significant, as it had been suspended since 2020. The pilgrimage, which takes devotees to the sacred Mount Kailash in Tibet, is a symbol of cultural and spiritual ties between the two nations. Additionally, plans for media and academic exchanges aim to foster greater understanding and collaboration at the people-to-people level.
During his meeting with Wang Yi, Foreign Secretary Misri expressed India’s support for China’s upcoming chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in 2025. Prime Minister Modi is expected to attend the SCO Head of State Summit scheduled for June this year, further signalling a commitment to multilateral cooperation.
Wang Yi called on both sides to “seize the opportunity” to build substantive initiatives and move beyond the challenges of the past. He highlighted the need for India and China to work together to achieve mutual benefits rather than focus on rivalry and competition. Misri echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of practical cooperation in multiple areas as a result of the October détente.
Despite the positive developments, significant challenges remain in fully normalizing India-China relations. The construction of a hydropower project by China on the Brahmaputra River (Yarlung Zangpo) in South Tibet has raised concerns in New Delhi. Additionally, lingering mistrust over the LAC tensions continues to cast a shadow over bilateral ties.
However, the agreements reached during Misri’s visit signal a shared commitment to move forward. As both nations prepare to celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations, the resumption of flights, visas, and cultural exchanges provides a promising foundation for rebuilding trust and cooperation.
