India placed trade, supply chains and border stability at the center of its latest high-level exchange with China, as External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of ASEAN-related meetings in Manila.
Jaishankar said fair market access, a more balanced trade relationship and reliable supply chains remained central concerns for New Delhi. He also welcomed recent steps aimed at easing bilateral contact, including an upgraded visa framework, the resumption of direct flights, the Kailash pilgrimage and border trade.
The meeting reflected a cautious improvement in India-China relations after a prolonged period of military and diplomatic tension along the Himalayan frontier. New Delhi has continued to stress that peace and tranquility at the border are a prerequisite for any broader normalization of ties.
Economic friction remains a major test for the relationship. India is seeking a more predictable environment for its manufacturers, including access to Chinese raw materials, while also pressing concerns over an asymmetrical trade imbalance estimated at about $100 billion.
Jaishankar said the two countries must continue using diplomatic mechanisms to manage their differences and prevent them from becoming disputes. He framed the relationship around mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual sensitivity, arguing that a stable and cooperative India-China equation would matter for both Asia and the wider international system.
The conversation also took place ahead of a BRICS summit that India is expected to host in September. Jaishankar thanked China for supporting India's presidency of the grouping, while Beijing's final confirmation of President Xi Jinping's attendance had not yet been made public.
