India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has reiterated to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi that peace and tranquillity along the India–China border remain the “pre‑requisite” for normal bilateral relations. The two leaders met on the sidelines of ASEAN‑related meetings in Manila, where discussions focused on restoring stability after years of tension following the Ladakh standoff.
Jaishankar emphasised that India cannot move forward with full diplomatic normalisation unless the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) improves. His remarks reflect New Delhi’s long‑standing position that border disengagement and de‑escalation are essential before broader cooperation can resume.
The meeting took place amid gradual progress in re‑establishing bilateral engagement. Both countries have recently resumed direct flights, reopened avenues for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, and restarted limited border trade, signalling cautious steps toward rebuilding confidence. These developments follow an understanding reached between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping in Kazan in October 2024, where both sides agreed to stabilise ties while continuing military‑level talks.
Jaishankar also used the meeting to review the current state of India–China relations, flagging concerns over trade imbalances and supply‑chain dependencies. India has been pushing for more balanced market access and diversification of critical imports, especially in sectors where Chinese dominance has created strategic vulnerabilities.
Despite incremental progress, the core issue remains unresolved: India insists that normal ties cannot resume until China restores the status quo along the border. Beijing, meanwhile, continues to call for compartmentalising the relationship — a stance New Delhi has repeatedly rejected.