Vikram Misri meets Li Wentang in Beijing as India-China ties improve

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met Li Wentang in Beijing and discussed future cooperation and exchanges. The outreach underlines continued efforts by India and China to rebuild ties after the Galwan rupture.

In Short

• The Indian embassy said Misri learned about the school's history and academics
• Both sides explored future cooperation and exchange opportunities during the Beijing discussions
• On Monday, he reviewed the full bilateral relationship with Hua Chunying

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Tuesday met Li Wentang, Vice President of the ruling Communist Party's Central Party School in Beijing, and the two discussed future cooperation and exchanges. Misri is on an official visit to the Chinese capital.

His visit comes as India and China continue to step up bilateral engagement and take measures to rebuild ties after relations fell sharply following the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes and the military face-off that continued for over four years. In recent months, the two sides have moved to reset ties through steps including the resumption of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra, issuance of visas and the resumption of flight services.

According to a social media post by the Indian embassy in Beijing, Misri was briefed during his meeting with Li about the school's historical significance, intellectual contributions and academic programmes. The two sides also discussed opportunities for future cooperation and exchanges.

On Monday, Misri met other Chinese leaders, including Vice Foreign Minister Hua Chunying, with whom he discussed the entire gamut of bilateral relations. He also met Sun Haiyan, Vice Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, and Hong Liang, Deputy Secretary General of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. Hong was previously the Director General of the boundary department of the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Misri, who was previously India's Ambassador to China, travelled to Beijing after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of meetings related to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Manila on July 21. During the current visit, the foreign secretary is holding a wide range of meetings with Chinese officials as both countries continue efforts to rebuild and expand engagement.

With PTI Inputs

- Ends