The North News
New Delhi, August 18
China has agreed to ease restrictions on the export of fertilizers, rare earth minerals and tunnel boring machines to India, in a move seen as a significant step towards stabilising bilateral trade. The decision was conveyed by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar during talks in New Delhi. Officials said the measure could have far-reaching implications for supply chains, particularly in sectors dependent on critical minerals and heavy infrastructure.
Both sides described the border situation as “quiet” and “stable”.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to travel to China later this month, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval informed Wang. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the two governments remained in regular contact “in Beijing as well as in Delhi” to bring predictability to trade flows in line with international practices.
The Chinese foreign ministry’s readout also quoted Jaishankar as reiterating that “Taiwan is part of China”. However, Indian officials stressed that New Delhi’s long-standing policy on Taiwan remained unchanged. Sources added Jaishankar told Wang that if China could engage with India on economic, technology and cultural issues, “there was no reason why India would not engage”.
