India-China acknowledge importance of maintaining peace and tranquillity in border areas
Beijing, July 27
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Hua Chunying, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, on Monday acknowledged the importance of maintaining peace and tranquillity in the India-China border areas as the former is on an official visit to China.
"Foreign Secretary Shri Vikram Misri met H.E. Ms Hua Chunying, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of China. They reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations. They discussed means of advancing the vision of the two leaders that India and China are partners and development opportunities for each other, including through mutually beneficial outcomes across trade and economic ties, culture, and people-to-people exchanges. Both sides acknowledged the importance of maintaining peace and tranquillity in the India-China border areas," the Embassy of India in China stated on X.
Earlier in the day, Secretary Misri discussed ways to enhance bilateral exchanges between India and China at the political and people-to-people levels during his meeting with Hong Liang, Deputy Secretary General of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), in Beijing.
"Foreign Secretary Shri Vikram Misri met with H.E. Hong Liang, Deputy Secretary General of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). They discussed ways to enhance bilateral exchanges at the political and people-to-people levels," the Indian Embassy in Beijing wrote on X.
Secretary Misri started his official visit to China on Monday with a meeting with Sun Haiyan, Vice Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.
"Foreign Secretary Shri Vikram Misri commenced his official visit to China today with a meeting with H.E. Sun Haiyan, Vice Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. They discussed ways to deepen implementation of the guidance of the leaders for bilateral relations, including addressing issues of priority to both sides and by promoting political, people-to-people, academic and think-tank exchanges," the Indian Embassy noted.
India's Ambassador to China, Vikram Doraiswami, was also present during the meeting.
— IANS
Reader Comments
The fact that these exchanges are happening at multiple levels (political, people-to-people, think tanks) is promising. But actions speak louder than words - we need concrete de-escalation on the ground, not just statements.
Finally some sensible diplomacy! Both countries have so much to gain from peace - trade, tourism, cultural exchange. The tension in Ladakh has hurt our apple growers and border communities. Let's hope this leads to lasting calm 🤞
I appreciate the effort but we must remain vigilant. China has a pattern of making promises then expanding infrastructure near the Line of Actual Control. Let's hope Vikram Misri and team negotiated with strong resolve.
As someone who travels between India and China for work, this is encouraging. The visa situation and business climate have been tense since 2020. Hope these talks translate into smoother people-to-people exchanges soon. Both countries need each other economically.
I wish the media would focus more on the positive aspects of this meeting rather than just hyping up border tensions. Cultural and academic exchanges are equally important for long-term understanding between our civilisations.
Respectful criticism: While dialogue is welcome, India must not repeat the mistakes of 2020 by being too trusting. The Chinese Communist Party
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