Statement by Beijing marks rhetorical shift as India and China seek to stabilise ties during talks on the sidelines of the BRICS Sherpa Meeting in New Delhi
China on Tuesday said that it understands and respects India’s aspirations for permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council, signaling a notable rhetorical shift amid cautious efforts by both sides to stabilise relations after years of strain.
China’s Executive Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu conveyed the position during talks with Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri in New Delhi on February 10, according to an official readout.
The meeting was held on the sidelines of the BRICS Sherpa Meeting hosted by India.
“China understands and respects India’s aspirations for UNSC membership,” the Ministry of External Affairs said, quoting Ma’s remarks.
The statement marks a departure from China’s long-standing reservations over India’s bid for a permanent seat on the Security Council, even as New Delhi and Beijing seek to rebuild diplomatic engagement following prolonged tensions.
According to the statement, the two sides held “friendly, candid and in-depth communication on the international and regional situation, respective internal and external policies, international and regional issues of shared interest, and China-India relations.”
“Both sides underlined that given the complex and profound changes in the international situation, China and India should work together to earnestly implement the important common understandings reached between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, view and handle China-India relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, and uphold the strategic perception that China and India are cooperative partners instead of rivals, and the two countries are each other’s development opportunity instead of threat,” the statement said.
“China and India should deepen mutual trust and expand cooperation, properly manage differences, and promote the development of China-India relations along a sound and steady track,” it added.
Bilateral ties have shown signs of improvement since Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping met in Kazan in October 2024, their first meeting since relations deteriorated following tensions in eastern Ladakh beginning in April–May 2020.
The two leaders last met in August 2025 on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry said both sides agreed to support each other’s work as BRICS chair in 2026 and 2027 respectively, and to back multilateralism and the central role of the United Nations.
It said the two countries also agreed to strengthen cooperation among the Global South, safeguard international fairness and justice, work towards a multipolar world, and contribute to peace and development in Asia and beyond.
In a separate statement, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said the two sides exchanged views on a wide range of bilateral, regional and international issues, with discussions focusing on recent progress in stabilising ties and ways to advance engagement.
“Both sides underscored the importance of peace and tranquility in the border areas for overall progress in bilateral relations. They reiterated their commitment to implement the guidance provided by their leaders including on the need to proceed from a political and strategic direction to approach issues and concerns related to bilateral trade,” the statement said.
The foreign secretary noted the successful resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and expressed hope for its further expansion. Both sides recognised the need for an early conclusion of an updated Air Services Agreement and agreed to continue taking practical steps on visa facilitation and promoting people-to-people exchanges.
The discussions also covered multilateral cooperation, including in the context of India’s BRICS chairship this year.
With inputs from agencies
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