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Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
India, China agree to hold 'functional talks' on trade, eco
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel New Delhi: India and China have agreed to hold talks to discuss and resolve specific issues of concern, especially in the areas of economics and trade, during the visit of the vice foreign minister of China, Sun Weidong. They will also work towards expediting resumption of direct flights. Sources said the issue of rare earth metal supplies that have been hit by Chinese export controls was also raised by the Indian side during the talks."The two sides agreed to hold certain functional dialogues, including in the areas of economic and trade, to discuss and resolve specific issues of concern," it said. Earlier, the MEA said it remains in touch with China on supply chain concerns."The Chinese Ministry of Commerce and General Administration of Customs, in early April, announced its decision to implement export controls on certain rare earth related items. We remain in touch with the Chinese side in Beijing and in Delhi, to bring predictability in supply chains for trade consistent with international practices," the spokesman said on appreciated China's cooperation for the resumption of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra this year. He also hoped for continued progress of the Expert Level Mechanism for cooperation in trans-border rivers that has been working towards resumption of provision of hydrological direct air services, Misri expressed hope for an early conclusion of an updated Air Services Agreement. They also agreed to take practical steps for visa facilitation and exchanges between the media and think-tanks.
News18
a day ago
- Business
- News18
India, China To Resume Direct Flights, Share River Data In Effort To Rebuild Ties: MEA
Last Updated: The two sides reviewed recent developments in India-China relations since their last meeting in Beijing in January this year India and China have agreed to resume direct flights and share river data as part of efforts to stabilise and rebuild their bilateral relationship. The announcement came after talks between Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong in the national capital on Thursday. Weidong is on a two-day visit to India from 12 to 13 June 2025. This was his second meeting with Misri this year following their talks in Beijing on 27 January. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) press note, the two sides reviewed recent developments in India-China relations since their last meeting in Beijing in January this year. They agreed to focus on people-centred engagements to strengthen ties between the two countries. On June 12, 2025, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong held a new round of China-India Vice Foreign Minister-Foreign Secretary Dialogue with Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri in New Delhi, and met with Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Weidong stated that,… — Xu Feihong (@China_Amb_India) June 13, 2025 One of the key outcomes of the meeting was an agreement to expedite the resumption of direct air services between India and China. 'Foreign Secretary hoped for the early conclusion of an updated Air Services Agreement," MEA said. In addition, the two countries agreed to take practical steps to facilitate visa processes and increase exchanges between media organisations and think-tanks. Another important topic discussed was cooperation on trans-border rivers. The two sides referred to the April 2025 meeting of the Expert Level Mechanism, where they discussed the resumption of 'hydrological data and other cooperation, and hoped for progress on them." During the meeting, Misri also appreciated China's cooperation for the resumption of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra this year. Earlier today, MoS for External Affairs and Textiles, Pabitra Margherita, presided over the flag-off ceremony for the first batch of the 2025 Kailash Manasarovar Yatra. The event took place at Jawaharlal Nehru Bhawan in New Delhi The meeting was held as part of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and China. 'The two sides positively assessed the activities planned under the 75th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between India and China and agreed to facilitate the same," the release stated. The officials also agreed to hold further functional dialogues on economic and trade issues in the coming months to address specific concerns and promote cooperation.
India Today
a day ago
- Politics
- India Today
In first India-China talks post Op Sindoor, focus on stabilising ties
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Thursday met Sun Weidong, China's Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, who is on a two-day visit to India on 12-13 June 2025. Both sides have reviewed the developments in India-China bilateral relations since their last meeting in Beijing on January 27 and have agreed to continue to stabilise and rebuild ties with priority people-centric appreciated the Chinese side's cooperation for the resumption of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra this year. He also talked about the discussions held in the April 2025 meeting on the Expert Level Mechanism for cooperation in transborder rivers for resumption of the provision of hydrological data along with other cooperation. He hoped that significant progress would be made on two sides agreed to expedite steps involved in resuming direct air services between the two countries. While the Foreign Secretary hoped for the early conclusion of an updated Air Services Agreement, both sides further agreed to take practical steps for visa facilitation and exchanges between the media and think-tanks and positively assessed the activities planned for the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations and agreed to facilitate the same. The two sides also agreed to hold certain functional dialogues, including in the economic and trade areas, to discuss and resolve specific issues of concern. Since October 2024, there have been multiple diplomatic meetings between India and 33rd meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) was held on 25 March 2025 in Beijing. The Indian delegation was led by Shri Gourangalal Das, Joint Secretary (East Asia), and the Chinese delegation was led by Hong Liang, Director General of the Boundary & Oceanic Affairs Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign ministry of external affairs released a statement stating that, 'the meeting was held in a positive and constructive atmosphere. The meeting comprehensively reviewed the situation along the Line of Actual Control in the India-China border areas.'According to MEA, India and China agreed that peace and tranquillity on the border are critical for the smooth development of overall bilateral relations and the two sides explored various measures and proposals to give effect to the decisions taken during the 23rd meeting of the Special Representatives on the India-China boundary question in Beijing in December 2024. The two sides also discussed measures to advance effective border and China have agreed to work together to make substantial preparations for the next meeting of the Special Representatives (SR), which will be held in India later this has been substantial progress along the LAC since October 2024 when both countries agreed to the resumption of patrolling in Depsang plains and Demchok. The grazing activity has also resumed in these locations, easing tensions between both countries. There have been several diplomatic meetings since October 2024 between India and China where both nations have agreed to continue dialogue for a broader Reel
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
India and China agree to resume direct flights: Vikram Misri meets Sun Weidong; to rebuild ties with 'people-centric engagements'
Sun Weidong ( and Vikram Misri (ANI) F oreign secretary Vikram Misri met Chinese vice foreign minister Sun Weidong in New Delhi on Friday in a renewed effort to improve bilateral relations between the two countries. Weidong is visiting India for two days. During the meeting, the neighbours decided to rebuild ties by prioritising 'people-centric engagements', including resuming direct flights. The discussions reviewed progress since the last meeting between the countries, which was held in Beijing in January. Misri expressed appreciation for China's cooperation in facilitating the resumption of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra this year, a significant development welcomed by Indian pilgrims. Last year, both countries reached a 6-point consensus on the same. Misri also referenced the discussions held in April 2025 under the Expert Level Mechanism on trans-border rivers, where both sides agreed on sharing hydrological data and other forms of cooperation, and hoped for progress. The talks highlighted accelerating the resumption of direct air connectivity and hoped to conclude an updated Air Service Agreement. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like What Was Hidden in His Truck Will Surprise You prestigetrophy Learn More Undo Both sides agreed to take steps to ease the procedures for visa application and promote exchanges between media, scholars, and think tanks. The two countries also positively reviewed the activities planned for the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Additionally, India and China have decided to convene functional dialogues in areas such as trade and economics, aimed at deepening engagement and cooperation across various fronts. India on Thursday had said it is in touch with the Chinese side as China had raised export controls on rare earth related items. "We are in touch with the Chinese side, both here in Delhi as well as in Beijing to bring predictability in the supply chain for trade, consistent with international practices,", the MEA spokesperson had said. Earlier in April, President Draupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had met with their Chinese counterparts, Xi Jinping and Li Qiang, respectively, on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties. Vikram Misri had joined an event hosted by the Chinese ambassador Xu Feihong and said that the event would become even more 'meaningful' if the oaths taken by the countries are translated into tangible actions.
Indian Express
a day ago
- Business
- Indian Express
India, China to resume direct flights, share data on rivers; focus to be on ‘people-centric engagements', says MEA
As India on Friday sends off the first batch of 50 pilgrims for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, which has resumed after a gap of six years, New Delhi and Beijing are now looking to restart direct air services, taking steps towards visa facilitation and also sharing data on transnational rivers. After a meeting between Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong, who is visiting New Delhi, the two sides reviewed developments in India-China bilateral relations since their last meeting in Beijing in January, and 'agreed to continue efforts to stabilise and rebuild ties with a focus on people-centric engagements,' as per a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday. After announcing that the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra will resume from June this year, the government had last month selected 750 people from a pool of over 5,500 applicants for the yatra to be held between June and August this year. The pilgrims will travel in five batches of 50 yatris each via the Lipulekh route, and 10 batches of 50 each via the Nathu La route. The resumption of the yatra from June was first announced on April 26, days after the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, as a step towards normalising India-China ties after six years of hiatus due to the border standoff. The yatra was on top of India's wishlist since the talks to normalise the ties began in November last year. As per the MEA statement on Friday, Misri appreciated the Chinese side's cooperation in facilitating the resumption of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra this year, and discussed next steps towards normalising ties, which include data sharing on rivers and resumption of direct flights. 'The Foreign Secretary also referred to the discussions during the April 2025 meeting of the Expert Level Mechanism on transboundary rivers and expressed hope for progress on the resumption of hydrological data sharing and other areas of cooperation,' the MEA said. The two sides agreed to expedite the steps involved in resuming direct air services between the two countries, and towards the early conclusion of an updated Air Services Agreement. The MEA further noted that both sides agreed to take practical steps for visa facilitation and promote exchanges between media and think tanks. They also positively assessed the activities planned to mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and China, and agreed to facilitate the same, the MEA said. In this context of strengthening bilateral ties, India on Thursday said it is in touch with the Chinese side, seeking predictability in the supply of rare earth metals, which had been put under the export controls regime by the Xi administration. 'We are in touch with the Chinese side, both here in Delhi as well as in Beijing to bring predictability in the supply chain for trade, consistent with international practices,' MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters in the weekly briefing, when asked about India's engagement with China on rare earth. 'The Chinese ministry of commerce and general administration of customs in early April…had announced a decision to implement export controls on certain rare earth related items,' Jaiswal said. Days ago, the US reached a 'deal' with China following intense trade negotiations. As part of the deal, America, according to President Donald Trump, will get rare earth supplies from China. China on Thursday hinted at holding talks with India over its restrictions on the export of rare earth materials, saying it is willing to enhance dialogue and cooperation with relevant countries to keep industrial supply chains stable. Their recent restrictions on the exports of key metals caused disruption in the manufacturing of automobiles and semiconductor chips in a host of countries, including India. On the future of India-China ties, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said earlier this week, 'Both our powers are rising quickly, so finding balance is a complex process. Our relations have gone through a difficult period since the 2020 military clash in the Himalayas. Many of our exchanges were suspended.' 'Both sides think relations can improve step by step. We have discussed some measures, and others are under consideration, like the resumption of direct flights suspended since Covid-19,' he said. Divya A reports on travel, tourism, culture and social issues - not necessarily in that order - for The Indian Express. She's been a journalist for over a decade now, working with Khaleej Times and The Times of India, before settling down at Express. Besides writing/ editing news reports, she indulges her pen to write short stories. As Sanskriti Prabha Dutt Fellow for Excellence in Journalism, she is researching on the lives of the children of sex workers in India. ... Read More
