Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reportedly said that China is willing to work with India to handle conflicts and differences, during a conversation with India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. The two leaders met on Monday in Beijing during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting, which also saw participation from other foreign ministers.

Minister Jaishankar emphasized that “differences should not become disputes, nor should competition ever become conflict.” In response, the Chinese foreign minister expressed China’s willingness to “safeguard the multilateral trading system” and ensure the “stability of the global production and supply chain with India.”

The past few years have witnessed considerable hostility between the neighboring nations. However, Wang Yi’s recent statements appear more conciliatory and come against the backdrop of aggressive tariff policies pursued by former U.S. President Donald Trump under his “America First” approach.

Chinese Statement

Wang Yi also reportedly said that India and China should “trust rather than suspect each other; cooperate rather than compete with each other,” according to international news agency Reuters. He further stated that the essence of the India-China relationship lies in the mutual success of both nations within the Global South, and thus, the two countries should work toward long-term planning.

“China and India should adhere to the principles of good-neighborliness and friendship, and seek mutual respect and trust, peaceful coexistence, joint development, and win-win cooperation,” stated Chinese state news agency Xinhua.

Representatives from both nations have met on multiple occasions at international platforms as India and China mark 75 years of diplomatic ties.

At the SCO meeting, Jaishankar also raised the issue of the border dispute—a long-standing point of contention between the two countries. He noted that ties between India and China have improved over the past nine months, following the resolution of certain frictions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

“This is the fundamental basis for mutual strategic trust… stable and constructive ties,” said Minister Jaishankar.

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