S Jaishankar meets Chinese FM Wang Yi at G20 meeting

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met his Chinese counterpart, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, on Friday on the sidelines of the G20 meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa. The discussion covered a wide range of topics aimed at stabilizing and rebuilding bilateral ties between India and China. A major point of discussion was the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, which both nations had agreed to restart last month. Other topics included peace management in border areas, travel facilitation, and the resumption of direct flights between the two countries.

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Jaishankar shares meeting details on social media

Following the meeting, EAM Jaishankar took to his social media platform X to share an update. “The G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting in Johannesburg provided an opportunity to meet CPC Politburo member and FM Wang Yi of China this morning on its sidelines,” he posted.

MEA spokesperson provides insights

At a press briefing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the two ministers reviewed developments in India-China relations since their last meeting in November 2024. The primary focus was on maintaining peace and stability along the border areas, which remains a critical concern for both nations.

Resumption of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and direct flights

One of the key outcomes of the discussion was the reaffirmation of India’s and China’s decision to resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. This pilgrimage, which holds immense religious significance for Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains, was suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the standoff at the Line of Actual Control (LAC). In addition to the yatra, both countries discussed the restoration of direct flight connectivity, which had also been halted amid rising tensions in 2020. Prior to the suspension, there were 539 direct flights per month, with a seat capacity of over 1.25 lakh passengers.

Cooperation in G20 and SCO

Apart from bilateral issues, the two foreign ministers also exchanged views on broader multilateral platforms, including the G20 and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). The discussions focused on strengthening collaboration in these global forums, highlighting the need for constructive dialogue between the two Asian giants.

A step forward in diplomatic ties

This meeting follows their last discussion on November 18, 2024, in Rio de Janeiro during the G20 Summit. The continued dialogue between Indian and Chinese officials signals a mutual effort to address ongoing concerns and work toward restoring normalcy in diplomatic relations.

The engagement between Jaishankar and Wang Yi indicates a cautious yet positive approach toward improving ties, especially in sensitive areas such as border security and people-to-people exchanges. With both nations agreeing on people-centric measures, the coming months will determine how these diplomatic efforts translate into tangible progress.