India, China agree on talks to solve trade issues, rebuild ties

India and China have agreed to hold talks aimed at resolving specific issues of concern in the fields of trade and economics as they work to stabilise and rebuild bilateral ties following the end of the military face-off in Ladakh sector of the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

- Rezaul H Laskar

NEW DELHI:

The decision to hold "functional dialogues" to address the trade and economic issues was made at a meeting between foreign secretary Vikram Misri and Chinese vice foreign minister Sun Weidong in New Delhi on Thursday. The two sides further agreed to speed up efforts to resume direct air services, suspended since 2020. Sun also met National Security Adviser Ajit Doval.

The talks between Misri and Sun, a former envoy to India, were part of a series of meetings held since the two sides reached an understanding last October on withdrawing troops from the two remaining "friction points" on the LAC in order to end the face-off that began in April-May 2020. They were held at a time when there is growing concern in India over the impact of China's curbs on rare earth exports, particularly on manufacturers of electric vehicles.