India-China Ties: Foreign secretary Vikram Misri holds bilateral talks in Beijing

Misri's visit comes ahead of China’s Spring Festival and New Year celebrations, scheduled to begin on January 29, during which the country will observe a week-long shutdown.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri arrived in Beijing on Sunday for a two-day visit, marking the second high-profile visit by an Indian official to China within a span of six weeks. The visit comes ahead of China’s Spring Festival and New Year celebrations, scheduled to begin on January 29, during which the country will observe a week-long shutdown.

Soon after his arrival, Misri, a former Indian Ambassador to China, held talks with Liu Jianchao, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China, which plays a significant role in shaping China’s foreign policy. Discussions centered on implementing the consensus reached by the two nations' leaders, enhancing dialogue, and fostering the stable development of India-China relations. Both sides also addressed key international and regional issues of mutual concern, according to the state-run Global Times.

Misri’s visit coincides with Republic Day and follows recent developments in India-China relations, including the revival of the Foreign Secretary-Vice Minister mechanism. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had earlier announced that the visit would facilitate discussions on political, economic, and people-to-people cooperation as part of ongoing efforts to restore normalcy in bilateral ties.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning welcomed Misri’s visit, describing it as a continuation of high-level engagements aimed at resolving tensions. Mao noted that the meeting follows the October discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia. Both leaders had agreed to prioritize the normalization of relations.

Key developments in recent months include the 23rd meeting of the Special Representatives (SRs) on the boundary issue, held in December between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. This was the first SR meeting in five years and focused on disengagement efforts in eastern Ladakh, particularly at Demchok and Depsang, the last two friction points. Following the disengagement pact, Indian and Chinese troops resumed patrolling in these areas after a gap of over four years.

During Misri’s visit, discussions are expected to address the de-escalation of tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, and measures to facilitate people-to-people exchanges. China has proposed resuming direct flights and easing visa restrictions for Chinese citizens, which were suspended during the pandemic.

The visit underscores a renewed push to stabilise India-China relations. Both countries have expressed a commitment to reviving dialogue mechanisms and enhancing cross-border cooperation, including initiatives like river data sharing and border trade. However, India has stated that the normalisation of ties hinges on ensuring peace along the border areas.

The visit follows a series of bilateral engagements aimed at improving relations after over four years of strained ties due to the Ladakh standoff.