Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Aug 4: India and China have taken several measures to strengthen people-to-people ties, including the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and restoration of civil aviation connectivity, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Tuesday.
Addressing a bi-weekly media briefing in New Delhi, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said discussions between the two countries were progressing positively and expressed confidence that recent measures would further improve bilateral relations.
"Discussions between the two countries are ongoing and the talks are moving in a positive direction. Several steps have been taken to improve relations between the people of both countries. You may have seen the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Civil aviation connectivity has also been re-established between the two countries, along with many other such measures. We believe these steps will further strengthen the positive relationship between the two countries," Jaiswal said.
The spokesperson was responding to questions over concerns raised by members of the Indian diaspora regarding alleged abusive content targeting Indians and Indian culture on Chinese social media platforms. The issue was reportedly highlighted during an open forum hosted by the Indian Embassy in Beijing.
Last month, during his official visit to China, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Hua Chunying and reviewed the overall state of bilateral relations.
The two sides discussed ways to advance the vision of Indian and Chinese leaders that both countries should remain partners and contribute to each other's development through mutually beneficial cooperation in areas including trade, economy, culture and people-to-people exchanges.
The Embassy of India in China said both sides also acknowledged the importance of maintaining peace and tranquillity in the India-China border areas.
Misri also met Communist Party of China's (CPC) Central Party School Vice President Li Wentang and discussed possibilities for future cooperation and exchanges.
The MEA said the recent initiatives are aimed at gradually rebuilding engagement between the two countries after a period of strained relations.