China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Indian counterpart yesterday that Beijing is willing to work with India to improve bilateral ties.China and India should respect and trust each other, Wang told Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in Johannesburg on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, according to a statement released by China’s foreign ministry.During the meeting, Jaishankar said gatherings like the G20 have provided opportunities for dialogue even during challenging phases in India-China relations. He acknowledged the collaborative efforts of both countries in supporting the G20’s role amid a polarised global landscape, highlighting the importance of international cooperation.“Such gatherings have provided an opportunity for our interaction even when our ties were going through a difficult phase,” Jaishankar said. “We should also recognise that in a polarised global situation, our two countries have worked hard to preserve and protect the G20 as an institution.”Reflecting on recent engagements, Jaishankar mentioned key visits by India’s national security advisor and foreign secretary to China since the leaders’ last meeting during the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro in November 2024.“Our discussions have included the management of peace and tranquillity in the border areas as well as other dimensions of our ties. I am glad to have a further exchange of views,” Jaishankar said. – Reuters
