ISLAMABAD (Web Desk); China’s top diplomat will travel to India next week for talks on the long-running boundary dispute, Beijing’s foreign ministry announced, as both countries consider reopening border trade nearly five years after suspending it.
According to a ministry spokesperson, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit India from August 18 to 20 at New Delhi’s invitation. During his stay, he will participate in the 24th round of special representatives’ meetings on the China–India border issue.
Although past trade across the icy Himalayan passes has traditionally been limited in volume, a possible resumption is seen as symbolically important. Cross-border commerce was halted after a deadly clash between Chinese and Indian troops in 2020, which sharply escalated tensions.
Indian media outlets had earlier reported that Wang was expected to arrive in New Delhi for talks on Monday. His visit follows Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar’s trip to Beijing in July, where both sides discussed ways to manage their disputed frontier and broader ties.
China and India, two of Asia’s largest economies, have long been rivals for strategic influence in South Asia. Yet, in the face of global economic headwinds and shifting geopolitical alignments — particularly after former US President Donald Trump’s tariff policies unsettled global trade — both nations have signaled a willingness to stabilize relations.
In recent weeks, officials from both sides have confirmed discussions on restarting border trade. Agreements on resuming direct passenger flights and restoring tourist visas are also being viewed as confidence-building measures, part of a broader effort to reset ties after years of strain.
