Chill in US ties prompts India to seek common ground with China

Chinese minister notes 'positive trend' towards cooperation during meeting with counterpart

- Nirmala Ganapathy and Aw Cheng Wei

NEW DELHI/BEIJING — India and China continued to push for improved ties — as both contend with coercive US trade measures — with Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to New Delhi addressing Beijing's rare earth and fertiliser export curbs even as both sides sought to ease border tensions.

Mr Wang, who is on a three-day visit to India, met External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Aug 18 for broad talks, followed by talks with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval the next day for negotiations on resolving border disputes.

The Chinese minister, in opening remarks during the meeting with Dr Jaishankar, noted a "positive trend" towards cooperation, adding that the two countries should view each other as partners rather than rivals.

Dr Jaishankar tweeted that he had "productive conversations" with Mr Wang on trade, people-to-people contacts, river data sharing, and connectivity, besides global and regional issues.

There was some forward movement in ties.

Indian government sources said Mr Wang had assured Dr Jaishankar that China is addressing India's need for fertilisers, rare earths and tunnel-boring machines.

India wants China to loosen export restrictions on these items, which have affected multiple sectors.

Curbs on rare earth magnets — of which China supplies over 60 per cent globally — have hit India's electronics and automotive industries, while fertiliser restrictions have caused shortages and price hikes. Red tape has also delayed tunnel-boring equipment for projects like India's high-speed rail expansion.

While Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning did not confirm the development at a regular press conference on Aug 19, she said: "What I can tell you is that we are willing to strengthen dialogue and cooperation with relevant countries and regions to jointly safeguard the stability of global industrial and supply chains."