In an important diplomatic meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi engaged in discussions to review the status of India-China relations. The meeting, lasting 30 minutes, focused on several pressing issues, aiming to enhance cooperation and resolve longstanding concerns between the two countries.
Both countries are looking ahead to the anniversary celebrations in 2025, and there is a shared commitment to reinforcing bilateral relations and strengthening the foundation for a more peaceful and cooperative future.
One of the main points on the agenda was the management of peace and tranquility along their shared border. Both ministers acknowledged the importance of maintaining stability in the border regions, an area that has seen tensions in recent years. This commitment to peace was central to the discussions, reflecting both nations’ desire to prevent further escalations.
Another important issue was the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra (KMY). This annual pilgrimage was suspended first due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the Galwan Valley conflict in 2020. At the end of talks the two ministers confirmed that the pilgrimage would resume in the summer of 2025.
The Yatra, which has been a significant religious journey for Hindus travelling to Tibet, will proceed along the well-established routes through Uttarakhand’s Lipulekh Pass and Sikkim’s Nathu La Pass.
Jaishankar and Wang Yi agreed to have technical authorities from both sides meet soon to finalise the framework for resuming air services, facilitating smoother travel between the two countries.
Flights between the two nations were suspended during the pandemic and geopolitical tensions, but with this meeting, there was renewed hope for restoring these connections.
The two ministers who met after November 2024 reviewed the developments in the bilateral relationship, specifically the management of peace and tranquility in border areas, Randhir Jaiswal, official spokesperson of Ministry of External Affairs said.
The ministers also touched on broader discussions related to the G20 and Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), platforms where India and China continue to collaborate. With 2025 marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations, both ministers emphasized the importance of enhancing public diplomacy to improve mutual understanding and trust.
The meeting in Johannesburg follows a series of diplomatic exchanges earlier in the year, including Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s visit to Beijing. These engagements signal a positive shift in India-China relations, with a focus on people-centric initiatives and stabilizing ties moving forward.
