China Calls for Respect of Core Interests as Wang Yi Holds Talks With Ajit Doval During BRICS Visit

According to China's state-run Xinhua news agency, Wang and Doval held extensive discussions on bilateral relations and reviewed the progress of the ongoing normalisation process between the two countries. Both leaders are designated Special Representatives for the India-China border issue.

Wang, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the ruling Communist Party of China and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, said India is an important neighbour of China and noted that bilateral ties have returned to a path of recovery and improvement.

In an official press release issued on Monday night regarding the Doval-Wang meeting, Wang stated that the leaders of both countries had agreed that China and India are partners rather than rivals. He described this understanding as the most important strategic consensus between the two sides, providing a significant driving force and strategic guarantee for the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations.

Emphasising the broader significance of the relationship, Wang said that as the world's two most populous economies, China and India should assess bilateral ties from a long-term perspective and promote cooperation from a global viewpoint. He said both countries should implement the important consensus reached by their leaders, advance their respective development and revitalisation through cooperation, and accelerate the modernisation process of the Global South.

Wang stressed that it is imperative to respect each other's core interests, properly manage sensitive issues and place the China-India border issue in an appropriate position so that it does not affect the overall direction of bilateral relations.

He also underlined the need to restore various dialogue mechanisms and expand exchanges in trade, finance, law enforcement and media. According to Xinhua, Wang further said that both countries should actively guide different sections of society towards a correct understanding and create a strong public opinion and social foundation for improving bilateral ties.

In New Delhi, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described the discussions between Doval and Wang as constructive and forward-looking. He said National Security Advisor Doval highlighted that stable, predictable and constructive bilateral relations contribute to building trust and enhancing mutual understanding between the two countries.

India and China have introduced a series of measures over the past year to rebuild ties after relations deteriorated sharply following the deadly Galwan Valley clashes in 2020 and the subsequent military standoff that continued for more than four years.

In August last year, Doval and Wang held the Special Representatives dialogue in New Delhi, which resulted in several outcomes aimed at maintaining peace and stability along the border.

The latest high-level engagement reflects continuing efforts by both Asian powers to stabilise relations and prevent border disputes from overshadowing broader cooperation, as New Delhi and Beijing seek to restore trust after years of tensions.