Jaishankar Meets Wang Yi, Raises Market Access And Trade Balance Issues
Jaishankar raises trade concerns during talks with Wang Yi.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Wednesday called for fair market access, balanced trade relations and reliable supply chains during his meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Manila. The discussions focused on strengthening the gradual improvement in India-China relations while addressing key issues affecting bilateral cooperation.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit (EAS) and ASEAN Regional Forum, where Jaishankar said India and China have seen steady progress in ties since the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Kazan in October 2024. He added that the direction of engagement was further reinforced during their subsequent interaction in Tianjin.
Jaishankar said a stable and cooperative relationship between the two countries should be based on mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual sensitivity. He emphasized that stronger India-China ties could contribute to a more balanced and multipolar Asia as well as a multipolar global order.
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The External Affairs Minister highlighted that maintaining peace and tranquillity along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) remains a key foundation for normal relations between the two neighbours. He said both sides have worked since October 2024 to maintain stability in border areas and stressed that existing diplomatic and military mechanisms should continue to receive support.
During the talks, Jaishankar welcomed several recent confidence-building measures, including the resumption of direct flights, easing of visa procedures, the return of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and the revival of border trade. However, he noted that important challenges remain, particularly regarding economic cooperation and trade-related concerns.
Jaishankar urged both countries to address issues related to market access for Indian businesses, trade imbalance and supply chain stability. He also called for expanded official and people-to-people exchanges and encouraged both sides to schedule further bilateral dialogue mechanisms based on mutual priorities. The ministers also discussed regional and international developments, with Jaishankar expressing appreciation for China’s support for India’s BRICS chairship during a period of growing global challenges.
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