China and India: Path to improved relations discussed by foreign ministers

China and India should properly handle differences and develop mutually beneficial cooperation, and promote the improvement and development of China-India relations rationally, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday.

Wang made the remarks during a meeting with India's minister for External Affairs, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in Vientiane, Laos.

Wang urged the two neighbors to step up dialogue and communication and increase understanding and mutual trust.

The two foreign ministers have agreed to make the concerted efforts necessary to maintain peace and tranquility along the border areas and work for new progress in consultations on border affairs, according to a readout from the Chinese foreign ministry.

The two sides also indicated their readiness to strengthen communication within a multilateral framework, jointly practice multilateralism and uphold the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries.

Wang said he hopes that the two countries will work together to explore the right way for the two big neighbors to get along with each other, and to develop positive perceptions of each other.

Noting that the impact of China-India relations goes beyond the bilateral scope, Wang emphasized that the bilateral relationship back on the right track serves the interests of both sides and meets the shared aspiration of countries of the Global South.

Jaishankar said that India and China have broad converging interests and face the shadow brought by the situation in the border areas.

But India is ready to find solutions to the differences and get the bilateral relations back to a positive and constructive track, he said.