Jaishankar Raises Fair Trade, Supply Chain Issues in Meeting with Chinese Counterpart Wang Yi

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on the sidelines of a regional forum in Manila, where he emphasised the need for fair trade practices and reliable supply chains between the two countries. The meeting came amid ongoing efforts to stabilise bilateral ties that have been strained by border tensions since 2020.

According to a statement from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, Jaishankar flagged concerns over market access and trade balance, urging a more equitable framework for economic engagement. He also stressed the importance of supply chain reliability, a critical issue for global businesses that have been impacted by disruptions in recent years.

The two ministers acknowledged the progress made in normalising relations since October 2024, when both sides agreed to restore patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. India has repeatedly stated that peace and tranquillity in border areas are essential for the normal development of bilateral ties.

Jaishankar welcomed recent measures to ease bilateral interactions, including the resumption of direct flights between India and China, which had been suspended during the pandemic. Both sides expressed a willingness to continue diplomatic and military-level talks to ensure stability along the border.

Analysts note that while economic engagement remains important, trust deficit on security issues persists. The meeting in Manila is seen as a step towards maintaining communication channels, even as fundamental differences over border claims remain unresolved.

The two foreign ministers also discussed regional and global issues of mutual interest, including multilateral cooperation. No joint statement was issued after the meeting, indicating that while dialogue continues, substantial progress on core issues remains limited.