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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in a forum held in Tibet, emphasized the importance of regional nations upholding each other’s sovereignty, particularly amidst ongoing border disputes with India.

Wang stated, “We must adhere to mutual respect and trust, jointly maintain regional unity, and respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” during the forum in Nyingchi, a city near the contested region of Arunachal Pradesh.

This dialogue, the third of its kind since 2018, saw the participation of officials from several countries, including Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Mongolia. However, just like the previous years, India did not send representatives.

The diplomatic relationship between India and China has been particularly strained, especially following a 2020 border altercation that resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers. Adding fuel to the fire, China recently released a map claiming Arunachal Pradesh, an Indian state, as a part of southern Tibet.