India presses China on market access, trade gap issues

India has stepped up pressure on China to resolve longstanding issues of market access and trade balance, with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar making it clear that peace along the border remains a prerequisite for normal ties. Speaking at a press conference, Jaishankar said the two countries have been gradually normalising relations since the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Kazan last year.

Border peace non-negotiable for normal ties

Jaishankar stated that the current state of India-China relations is not normal, and that border peace is the foundation for any meaningful progress. “We cannot have normal relations if the border is not peaceful,” he said. The minister’s comments come weeks after the two sides held military talks to resolve the lingering standoff in eastern Ladakh.

Officials have not yet confirmed the exact status of disengagement at remaining friction points. However, both nations have shown willingness to de-escalate, with the Kazan meeting seen as a key turning point.

Trade deficit and market access under spotlight

On economic ties, Jaishankar highlighted the growing trade imbalance. India’s trade deficit with China has widened in recent years, with Indian businesses facing non-tariff barriers and restricted access to the Chinese market. “We need reciprocal market access,” he said. The minister did not provide specific figures but noted that the issue was raised directly with Chinese counterparts.

China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, responded by saying Beijing is “ready” to handle sensitive issues with India. Wang’s statement, reported by state media, acknowledged the need for dialogue but offered no concrete commitments.

Multi-polar Asia vision

Jaishankar also linked stable India-China ties to the broader goal of a multi-polar Asia. “A stable relationship between India and China will help build a multi-polar Asia and a multi-polar world,” he said. This framing positions bilateral ties as crucial for regional and global order, not just for the two nations.

The minister’s remarks signal that India wants China to recognise the strategic importance of resolving disputes, rather than allowing differences to define the relationship.

Gradual normalisation since Kazan

Relations have shown signs of thaw since the Modi-Xi meeting in Kazan, which was the first high-level interaction in five years. Diplomatic and military talks have resumed, with both sides agreeing to maintain communication. However, Jaishankar cautioned that the process is gradual and that trust must be rebuilt step by step.

“We are not back to where we were five years ago. But we are moving in the right direction,” he said.

What to watch: The next round of military talks is expected later this month. Any breakthrough on disengagement could pave the way for more economic discussions, including a potential visit by Chinese trade officials to New Delhi.