New Delhi, August 18 — India has told China that the future of bilateral relations depends on maintaining peace along the disputed Himalayan frontier, while pressing for the withdrawal of troops to ease tensions.

During talks in New Delhi, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar conveyed to his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi that restoring normalcy requires calm along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). He emphasized that unresolved border issues have hampered progress and must not be allowed to escalate into wider disputes.

India reiterated that troop disengagement and de-escalation are necessary steps for rebuilding trust. The two countries have faced strained ties since the deadly 2020 clash in Ladakh that resulted in casualties on both sides. Since then, several rounds of military and diplomatic discussions have taken place, but full disengagement remains incomplete.

Wang Yi, on his first India visit in more than three years, acknowledged the relative stability achieved in recent months and said both nations should strengthen cooperation in areas of mutual interest. He underlined that dialogue, rather than confrontation, is key to moving forward.

The Chinese foreign minister is also scheduled to meet National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His visit comes ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in China, where Modi is expected to participate.

The outcome of these discussions will likely shape the next phase of India-China relations, with border peace seen as the foundation for any broader engagement in trade, security, and regional cooperation.