India-China agree to reopen border trade, resume direct flights and ease visas in a reset of ties
India and China on Tuesday agreed to revive dialogue mechanisms, resume direct flights and enhance trade and investment flows, signalling a reset in ties strained since the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes.
The Ministry of External Affairs said the two countries would work together to “maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas through friendly consultations” while addressing each other’s concerns.
The two sides also concluded the 24th round of Special Representatives’ talks on the boundary issue in New Delhi, co-chaired by NSA Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
The Ministry of External Affairs said the two countries have also agreed to reopen border trade at three designated points and revive various dialogue mechanisms and exchanges to strengthen cooperation and address each other’s concerns.
PM Modi meets Wang Yi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in New Delhi after his talks earlier in the day with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday.
Following the meeting, Modi said in a post on X that since his talks with President Xi Jinping in Kazan last year, India-China relations have made “steady progress guided by respect for each other’s interests and sensitivities.”
Glad to meet Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Since my meeting with President Xi in Kazan last year, India-China relations have made steady progress guided by respect for each other’s interests and sensitivities. I look forward to our next meeting in Tianjin on the sidelines of the SCO… pic.twitter.com/FyQI6GqYKC
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 19, 2025
He further added that stable and constructive India-China ties were vital for regional and global peace, and said he looked forward to meeting President Xi Jinping on the margins of the upcoming SCO summit in Tianjin.
Wang, who arrived in Delhi on Monday, conveyed a message and an invitation from Xi to Modi for the SCO meet.
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Shortly after his arrival in New Delhi on Monday evening, Wang Yi held talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. As the meeting began, Jaishankar said in remarks that were broadcast: “Having seen a difficult period in our relationship…our two nations now seek to move ahead. This requires a candid and constructive approach from both sides.”
He added: “In that endeavour, we must be guided by the three mutuals — mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest. Differences must not become disputes, nor competition conflict,” reiterating the position he had articulated during his visit to China in July for the SCO foreign ministers’ meeting.
