Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Plans Official Visit to India
This week marks a significant step in Sino-Indian relations as Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong is set to visit India, highlighting the ongoing efforts to strengthen diplomatic ties after years of tension.
Context of the Visit: A Gesture of Improving Relations
Sun Weidong’s two-day visit, commencing on Thursday, follows the Indian Foreign Secretary’s visit to Beijing in January, where both countries agreed on key measures to normalize their relationship. Notably, this visit comes after the successful troop disengagement in eastern Ladakh, bringing an end to a nearly five-year-long military standoff.
Recent Diplomatic Developments Paving the Way
- Meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping in Russia last October.
- Resumption of Special Representatives’ Talks on the border dispute in December.
These high-level engagements have created a conducive environment for the upcoming discussions during Sun’s visit.
Key Meetings and Discussions on the Agenda
During his stay, Sun Weidong is anticipated to hold talks with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and participate in the foreign secretary–vice minister dialogue mechanism. Further, NSO Doval is expected to host Chinese Foreign Minister and Special Representative Wang Yi later this year for another round of border negotiations, underscoring continued diplomatic momentum.
Expectations and Outcomes
Observers expect this meeting to review progress since January, including China’s commitment to resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in summer 2025—a culturally and spiritually significant event for India.
This visit signals a cautious but hopeful shift towards enhanced cooperation and stability in bilateral relations, with both sides demonstrating a willingness to engage constructively after years of conflict and mistrust.
