Jaishankar–Wang Yi talks in New Delhi: 'three mutuals', de-escalation and resumption of direct flights
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in New Delhi on 18 August 2025, the first visit by a Chinese Minister since the leaders met in Kazan in October 2024.
Summary
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in New Delhi on 18 August 2025, at the start of Wang Yi's visit for the 24th round of Special Representatives talks. In his opening remarks, Jaishankar called it the first visit by a Chinese Minister since the leaders met in Kazan in October 2024, said the two countries must be guided by the 'three mutuals' – mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest – and said differences must not become disputes, nor competition conflict. He stressed that peace and tranquillity in the border areas was the basis for positive momentum and that the de-escalation process must move forward. Among the outcomes reported after the visit, the two sides agreed to resume direct flights at the earliest and finalise an updated Air Services Agreement, facilitate visas, and reopen border trade through three designated points – Lipulekh, Shipki La and Nathu La.
Key facts
- Date / place
- 18 Aug 2025, New Delhi
- Participants
- EAM S. Jaishankar and FM Wang Yi
- Significance
- First visit by a Chinese Minister since Kazan meeting (Oct 2024)
- Guiding principle
- Three mutuals – respect, sensitivity, interest
- Key line
- Differences must not become disputes, nor competition conflict
- Border
- Peace and tranquillity; de-escalation must move forward
- Outcomes
- Direct flights at the earliest; updated Air Services Agreement; visa facilitation
- Border trade
- Reopening via Lipulekh, Shipki La and Nathu La
Practice MCQs 4 questions
In his talks with Wang Yi on 18 August 2025, S. Jaishankar said India–China ties must be guided by the 'three mutuals'. Which of the following is NOT one of them?
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Correct answer: D — Mutual trust
Jaishankar listed the three mutuals as mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest; mutual trust was not one of them.
India and China agreed during Wang Yi's August 2025 visit to reopen border trade through three designated points. Which of the following is NOT one of them?
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Correct answer: B — Bum La
The reported outcomes named Lipulekh, Shipki La and Nathu La as the three designated points for reopening border trade; Bum La was not among them.
S. Jaishankar described Wang Yi's August 2025 visit as the first by a Chinese Minister since the two countries' leaders met at which place?
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Correct answer: A — Kazan, October 2024
In his opening remarks, Jaishankar said this was the first visit by a Chinese Minister since the leaders met in Kazan in October 2024.
Consider the following statements about the Jaishankar–Wang Yi talks and the outcomes of Wang Yi's visit in August 2025: 1. Jaishankar said differences must not become disputes, nor competition conflict. 2. The two sides agreed to resume direct flights from 1 September 2025. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct: it is part of Jaishankar's opening remarks. Statement 2 is incorrect: the sides agreed to resume direct flights at the earliest and finalise an updated Air Services Agreement, but no date was given for resumption.