NEW DELHI As India and China navigate the complexities of their relationship, China's Ambassador to India, Xu Feihong, has emphasized the importance of not allowing border issues to define the entirety of bilateral ties. Despite ongoing tensions and protracted negotiations regarding the border, Ambassador Xu has advocated for a strategic and long-term perspective, one that recognizes the vast potential for cooperation and mutual benefit between the two nations.
Speaking at an event in Delhi on Tuesday, Ambassador Xu acknowledged the complexity of the border issue, stating that it will take time to resolve. He noted that both countries are continuing to engage in Special Representatives' Talks on the Boundary Question and have maintained close communication through diplomatic and military channels. In August 2025, the 24th round of these talks resulted in a 10-point consensus. Furthermore, the Chinese and Indian militaries recently held the 23rd round of Corps Commander Level Meeting, focusing on management and control in the western sector of the border.
"The China-India border issue is very complex and it will indeed take time to resolve it," Ambassador Xu stated. "I believe that as two ancient civilizations, China and India have sufficient wisdom and ability to maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas and find a fair, reasonable, and mutually acceptable solution". He affirmed China's willingness to work with India to strengthen normalized boundary management and control, carry forward the process of de-escalation, and jointly maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas.
However, the ambassador stressed that the border issue should not overshadow the broader context of the China-India relationship. He pointed out that people-to-people exchanges are crucial for enhancing mutual understanding. Notably, the Chinese Embassy in India has issued 265,000 visas to Indian citizens in 2025 and has resumed facilitating pilgrimages to Kailash-Mansarovar, with thousands of pilgrims undertaking the journey this year. Bilateral trade has also seen significant growth, with trade in goods increasing by 10.4% year-on-year between January and August to $102 billion.
Echoing this sentiment, during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to India in August, discussions with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval led to an agreement to establish two groups dedicated to the border issue. One group will focus on border delimitation in appropriate sectors, while the second will concentrate on proper management of the border areas.
Looking ahead, both nations recognize the importance of maintaining stability along the border. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), recent talks were held in a friendly atmosphere, with both sides acknowledging progress made since the 22nd round of Corps Commander Level Meeting in October 2024. Both sides have agreed to continue using existing mechanisms to resolve any ground issues along the border to maintain stability.
Ambassador Xu's remarks underscore the need for a balanced approach, one that addresses the border issue with diligence and determination while simultaneously fostering cooperation in areas of mutual interest. By preventing the border dispute from defining the entirety of their relationship, India and China can unlock the immense potential for collaboration and contribute to regional and global stability.
