Vikram Misri Holds Talks With Chinese Officials on Bilateral Ties, Border Peace

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri held talks with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Hua Chunying in Beijing on Monday, reviewing the full spectrum of India-China bilateral relations and discussing ways to strengthen ties between the two countries.

Misri, who is on an official visit to China, and Hua discussed measures to advance the vision of the two countries' leaders that India and China should view each other as partners and development opportunities. The discussions covered several areas, including trade and economic cooperation, cultural exchanges and people-to-people ties. According to the Indian Embassy in Beijing, the two sides also acknowledged the importance of maintaining peace and tranquillity in the India-China border areas, an issue that remains central to efforts to improve bilateral relations following tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

The talks also focused on expanding mutually beneficial economic engagement and strengthening exchanges between the people of the two countries. The emphasis on border peace indicated the importance of maintaining stability as both sides seek to improve broader relations.

During his visit, Misri also met Sun Haiyan, Vice Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC). Their discussions centred on implementing the guidance provided by the leaders of both countries, addressing issues of priority to India and China, and promoting political, academic, think-tank and people-to-people exchanges.

Misri also held talks with Hong Liang, Deputy Secretary General of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and a former Director General of the Chinese Foreign Ministry's boundary department. The two sides discussed ways to enhance political and people-to-people exchanges.

Misri, who previously served as India's Ambassador to China, is expected to hold further meetings with Chinese officials on Tuesday. His Beijing visit comes shortly after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of ASEAN-related meetings in Manila on July 21. The latest diplomatic engagements signal continued efforts by India and China to manage outstanding concerns, maintain peace along the border and explore avenues for improving bilateral ties.