According to reports, Chinese top diplomat Wang Yi engaged in discussions with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar during the ASEAN meetings held in Jakarta, Indonesia. Wang emphasized the necessity of stabilizing bilateral relations between the two neighbouring Asian countries, particularly in light of simmering military tensions along their extensive border. The Chinese foreign ministry provided a readout of the meeting, highlighting Wang's call for mutual support rather than suspicion.

India and China share a border stretching approximately 3,800 kilometers (2,360 miles), much of which lacks clear demarcation, and have a history of conflict, including a brief but intense war in 1962. Despite these challenges, bilateral ties have shown improvement since the 1990s through a series of border agreements, and China currently ranks as India's second-largest trading partner.

However, a setback occurred in 2020 when a border clash resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers and four Chinese soldiers during hand-to-hand combat. Following the incident, both countries fortified their positions, deployed significant numbers of troops and equipment, and engaged in multiple rounds of military and diplomatic talks to de-escalate tensions. Nonetheless, India has expressed concerns about the fragile and dangerous situation at the border.

During the meeting, Wang stressed the importance of China and India collaborating to find a mutually acceptable resolution to their border issues. It is essential for the two nations to work together in the same direction to address these concerns effectively.

"The two sides should support each other and accomplish things together, rather than wear each other down or suspect each other," Wang said.

India and China should not let specific issues define their overall relationship, he said. The two sides agreed to hold the next round of military commander-level talks on border issues at an early date, the Chinese foreign ministry said.

Since 2020, the Indian government has increased its scrutiny of Chinese businesses and implemented various measures. These include the banning of over 300 Chinese apps, including TikTok, as well as intensified scrutiny of investments made by Chinese firms.

During recent discussions, Chinese diplomat Wang Yi expressed his concern over the restrictions imposed by India on Chinese companies. He urged the Indian government to provide a fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies operating in the country.

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