Modi says India-China relations are steadily developing, and the two countries will resume direct flights and strengthen economic and trade ties
Indian Prime Minister Modi met with Chinese Foreign Minister on Tuesday, August 19 in New Delhi. Modi stated that a stable and constructive India-China relationship is crucial for peace and prosperity in the region and globally. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs stated that the India-China border talks did not achieve significant breakthroughs, but India and China agreed to resume direct flights and strengthen economic and trade ties.
Reuters reported that Modi met with the Chinese Foreign Minister who was visiting India on Tuesday. Modi said that since his meeting with Chinese leaders last October, India-China relations have been steadily progressing, and both sides have always adhered to the principles of mutual respect for each other's interests and concerns.
Modi said on the social platform X, "I look forward to meeting with Chinese leaders again during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Tianjin." Modi also stated, "A stable, predictable, and constructive India-China relationship will make an important contribution to the peace and prosperity of the region and the world."
Modi is expected to visit China at the end of this month to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit, which will be his first visit to China in over seven years.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs stated on Tuesday that the India-China border talks involved the withdrawal of troops from the Himalayan border, boundary demarcation, and related matters, but no major breakthroughs were achieved. Beijing, however, stated that the two countries agreed to hold talks again in China in 2026.
However, both sides reached a consensus to resume direct flights that had been suspended for many years and promote trade and investment exchanges, while facilitating visa processing. Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, direct flights between India and China have been suspended, and there has been no announcement of a resumption date yet.
The issue of the Tibetan dam has drawn attention
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that during the talks, the Chinese Foreign Minister told India's National Security Advisor Dovar, "The stable and healthy development of India-China relations is in the fundamental interest of the people of both countries," and both sides should enhance mutual trust through dialogue, expand cooperation, and seek consensus in areas such as border management and boundary negotiations.
India stated that during the talks with the Chinese Foreign Minister, the Foreign Minister Sujan emphasized concerns about China's construction of large dams on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet. After flowing into India and Bangladesh, the Yarlung Tsangpo River becomes the Brahmaputra River, which is a lifeline for millions of people. India emphasized that the dam could affect downstream countries and requested China to maintain "the highest level of transparency".
Chinese officials stated that the hydropower projects in Tibet would not have a significant impact on the ecological environment or downstream water resources. However, India and Bangladesh still expressed concerns.
According to a source in India, the Chinese Foreign Minister also assured Sujan that Beijing is working on responding to India's three core demands regarding fertilizers, rare earths, and tunnel boring machines on the same day.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1840923672457351/
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