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India reaffirms long-held policy to rule out third party role in its border row with China

India has virtually ruled out any role for a third party in its border dispute with China after US President Donald Trump suggested that he was ready to extend support if it helps in the resolution of the lingering issue between the two neighbours.

At a media briefing, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said on Thursday (Friday IST) that New Delhi has always adopted a bilateral approach in dealing with these issues.

As a matter of long-held policy, India has been maintaining that there is no role for any third party in any of its bilateral issues or disputes with any country.

"Your question about the offer to mediate between India and China, I think, I suspect you know the answer to this question," he said when asked about Trump's offer.

"Whatever issues we have with any of our neighbours, we have always adopted a bilateral approach to dealing with these issues. It's no different between India and China," he said.

"We have been discussing any issues that we have with them on a bilateral plane, and we will continue to do so," Misri added.

After his talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the US president made the offer of support at a media briefing while responding to a question on India's frosty ties with China over the border row.

"I do see the skirmishes on the border, which are quite vicious, and I guess they continue to go on. If I could be of help, I would love to help as that should be stopped," he said.

The US president also described China as a "very important player" globally and even suggested that Beijing could play a role could play a role in ending the war in Ukraine.

Trump also underlined the importance of cooperation among India, China, Russia and the US.

"I would hope that China and India and Russia and the US and all of us can get along. It's very important," he said.

The ties between India and China came under severe strain following the deadly Galwan Valley clashes between the militaries of the two countries in June, 2020.

Bilateral cooperation should not harm third party: China on Modi-Trump meeting

In a guarded reaction to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump’s meeting, Beijing on Friday said China should not be made an issue in their bilateral cooperation, and it should not harm the interests of a third country.

Keeping a wary watch on the Modi-Trump talks in Washington covering a range of issues, including firming up defence cooperation besides reaffirming that a close partnership between the US and India is central to a free, open, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Asia-Pacific is a hub for peaceful development not an arena for geopolitical rivalry.

China believes that relations and cooperation between countries should not make an issue of China or harm other’s interests and it should be conducive to peace, stability and prosperity, Guo said replying to a question.

Ganging up to form exclusive groups and engaging in bloc politics and bloc confrontation will not bring about security and can, by no means, keep the Asia-Pacific and the whole world peaceful and stable, he said.

The joint statement issued after Modi-Trump talks on Thursday (early Friday India time) said the two countries have agreed to advance India-US defence ties and launched a new initiative – the ‘US-India COMPACT’ (Catalyzing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology) for the 21st Century.

The two leaders also reaffirmed that a close partnership between the US and India is central to a free, open, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region and spoke of strengthening Quad partnership among other issues.

India is a member of Quad alliance, which includes the US, Japan and Australia. China is wary of Quad and asserts that the alliance is aimed at containing its rise.

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What is Mission-500?

Modi and Trump launched Mission-500 in the sector of trade and investment, aiming to double the trade between the two countries to $500 billion by 2030.

Giving more information on the initiative, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri in a press briefing said that the multi-sector trade deal aims to bolster trade across all goods and services sector.

“Two leaders jointly launched the US-India compact for the 21st century, for catalysing opportunities in military partnership, accelerated commerce and technology. In the area of trade and investment, the leaders launched Mission-500, aiming to more than double total two-way trade to USD 500 billion by 2030,” Misri said.

“The two leaders also announced plans to negotiate the first tranche of a mutually beneficial multi-sector bilateral trade agreement by the fall of 2025. Both countries will take an integrated approach to strength bilateral trade across the good and services sector. There is a renewed commitment to making greenfield investments in high-value industries in each other’s countries,” Misri said.

India, US aim to double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030 with Mission-500: Foreign Secretary

PM leaves for India, 'very substantive and very productive visit'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has departed for India after concluding his visit to the US during which he held high-level bilateral talks with President Donald Trump on a wide range of subjects, including trade and technology, defence and security, energy and people-to-people ties.

Modi arrived in the US from France on Wednesday. He was hosted by Trump on Thursday for their first bilateral talks since the Republican leader assumed the US presidency for a second term last month.

During the talks, India and the US decided to take a big leap in broad-basing their strategic ties in several critical areas, including defence, energy, and critical technology. Both sides also exchanged views on regional and international developments of mutual interest.

In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi said he had an "excellent" meeting with President Trump and that their talks "will add significant momentum to the India-USA friendship!" "President Trump often talks about MAGA. In India, we are working towards a Viksit Bharat, which in the American context translates into MIGA. And together, the India-USA have a MEGA partnership for prosperity!" Modi tweeted.

After his talks with Modi, Trump announced that Washington is paving the way to provide New Delhi with F-35 fighter jets as part of increasing military supplies by billions of dollars.

Addressing the media on PM Modi's US visit, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said, "PM has just concluded a very substantive and very productive visit to the US at the invitation of President Donald Trump... This is the PM's first visit after the inauguration of President Trump for a second term... the fact that this visit is taking place within three weeks and a bit of the inauguration is a signal of priority that both leaders attached to the India-US relationship." During this two-day visit to the US, Prime Minister Modi also met key American officials, including National Security Advisor Michael Waltz and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.

He also interacted with prominent business leaders, including SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, who also leads the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and Indian-American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.

Prior to his US tour, Modi spent two days in France. During the visit, Prime Minister Modi on Tuesday co-chaired the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit with President French Emmanuel Macron in Paris and also held bilateral discussions with him on Wednesday. He also addressed the 14th India-France CEOs Forum.

During their bilateral talks, Modi and Macron emphasised strengthening trade and investment ties and reaffirmed their commitment to deepening engagement in the Indo-Pacific region and global forums.

The two leaders also jointly inaugurated India’s new consulate in Marseille.

While in France, Modi met US Vice President J D Vance and his Indian-origin wife Usha along with their two young sons. The meeting marked Modi’s first interaction with the top leadership of the new Trump administration. 

India working on logistics of Tahawwur Rana extradition: Foreign Secretary

#WATCH | Washington, DC: On the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri says, "... This is an issue on which US authorities have taken a very clear decision. President Trump has himself announced from the White House about the decision of the United States to… pic.twitter.com/hyCBWUiPLE

— ANI (@ANI) February 14, 2025

Modi leaves for Delhi