India and China continue to make progress in their diplomatic relations, with ongoing constructive engagements at various levels, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday.
Addressing a weekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal highlighted key developments in the relationship between the two nations. He pointed out that the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Kazan was a significant step forward, followed by productive discussions between Indian Foreign Secretary and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister. Since then, he said, India and China have remained engaged at multiple levels, including discussions involving External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar and National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval.
Jaiswal emphasized that conversations between both sides have been moving in the right direction. He noted that several agreements had been reached in principle, and further progress is expected in the coming days.
The high-level engagement between PM Modi and Xi took place on the sidelines of the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, on October 23, 2024. One of the key takeaways from these discussions was the decision to resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in 2025. The pilgrimage, which holds immense religious significance for Hindus, had been suspended in recent years. While the finer details are still being worked out, Jaiswal confirmed that both countries had agreed to facilitate the yatra’s revival.
The MEA spokesperson also underscored broader efforts to improve India-China relations, mentioning a series of initiatives agreed upon by both nations. These include the resumption of trade through the Nathula border, cooperation on trans-border rivers, enhanced border management to maintain peace and stability, and renewed efforts to promote cultural, educational, and tourism exchanges. The broader objective, he said, is to foster a stable, predictable, and amicable relationship between the two countries.
Meanwhile, India is also advancing its trade negotiations with Peru, with the long-pending Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries now in its final stages. The eighth round of negotiations is expected to take place soon. According to Jaiswal, discussions on the agreement have been ongoing since 2017, and both sides remain committed to finalizing the deal.
During his visit to India for the Raisina Dialogue 2025, Peru’s Foreign Minister Elmer Schialer spoke about the need to enhance logistical connectivity between the two nations to strengthen economic ties. He proposed the construction of a naval and aerial hub with two large ports to facilitate trade and investment. Schialer stressed that Peru views India as one of its most important trading partners and that a successful FTA would send a strong signal to businesses in both countries to collaborate more closely.
With bilateral trade between India and Peru growing from USD 66 million in 2003 to USD 3.68 billion in 2023, the proposed agreement is expected to further enhance economic cooperation. While some sensitive sectors, such as textiles, have been set aside for later discussions, both nations are determined to move forward in other key areas.
Schialer also spoke about the importance of cooperation within the Global South, emphasizing the need for tangible measures to strengthen ties in trade, investment, and cultural exchanges. He expressed hope that the India-Peru FTA could be finalized by the end of the year, paving the way for deeper economic engagement.
(Inputs from ANI)