Overview

• Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on August 18–19 in New Delhi to manage bilateral tensions ahead of the SCO summit.
• Beijing announced the resumption of the Kailash–Mansarovar pilgrimage, citing sustained peace and tranquillity along the border.
• Jaishankar emphasized that withdrawing forward military posts in the western Himalaya is crucial to maintain any positive momentum in India-China ties.
• Both ministers committed to strengthen counterterrorism cooperation and scheduled Wang Yi to meet National Security Advisor Ajit Doval for the 24th round of border talks.
• The talks set the stage for Wang Yi’s upcoming meetings with Prime Minister Modi and participation in the SCO summit in Tianjin.