Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: China has pledged to address India’s pressing concerns regarding rare earths, fertilisers, and tunnel boring machines. The assurance was conveyed by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar during his two-day visit to India that began on Monday.
Key Economic and Trade Priorities
During the meeting, Jaishankar emphasised the importance of discussions on trade, pilgrimages, connectivity, river data sharing, and people-to-people exchanges. He raised the need for China’s cooperation in easing access to rare earths, agricultural fertilisers, and infrastructure machinery. In response, Wang Yi assured that China would pay close attention to these requirements. Jaishankar noted that restrictive trade measures and unnecessary roadblocks should be avoided, highlighting the need for stable, constructive ties.
India-China Relations in Context
The relationship between India and China has been strained since the 2020 standoff in eastern Ladakh, though disengagement agreements have brought partial relief. Before the 2024 BRICS Summit, both nations reached an understanding on patrolling arrangements along the LAC, which helped reduce tensions. Despite ongoing differences, Jaishankar stressed that disputes must not escalate into conflict and underscored the global importance of stable India-China relations.
Global Backdrop and Upcoming Engagements
The discussions also touched upon broader geopolitical concerns, including economic instability arising from the Ukraine conflict and trade disputes involving the US. This meeting comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s planned visit to Tianjin for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit on August 31, where further engagement with Chinese leadership is expected.
