India and China recorded a positive turn in ties on Monday as visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi assured External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar that Beijing will resume supplies of fertilisers, rare earth minerals, and tunnel boring machines (TBMs). The move signals a thaw in relations after nearly a year-long freeze on critical imports.
India depends on China for nearly 30% of fertilisers, vital for agriculture, as well as rare earths used in auto manufacturing and TBMs essential for road and urban infrastructure. Jaishankar had raised the supply concerns during his visit to Beijing last month, and Wang Yi&rsquo;s commitment is being seen as a breakthrough.
While boundary issues were not on the agenda of the Jaishankar&ndash;Wang talks, they will be taken up by NSA Ajit Doval in the Special Representative Dialogue, with the focus on troop de-escalation along the 3,488 km Line of Actual Control (LAC). Though patrolling frictions in Ladakh have eased, both armies remain heavily deployed at forward positions.
Jaishankar also reiterated India&rsquo;s unchanged stance on Taiwan, emphasising that New Delhi maintains only economic and cultural ties. Talks were cordial but shadowed by U.S. President Donald Trump&rsquo;s policies, which both sides privately acknowledged as a factor pushing them closer.
China&rsquo;s agreement to restart key exports is a significant development in the process of normalisation of bilateral ties, even as sensitive boundary matters remain on the table for higher-level dialogue.

Beijing to resume supply of fertilisers, rare earths, and TBMs as talks normalise ties

India–China Ties Warm With Trade Boost

Beijing to resume supply of fertilisers, rare earths, and TBMs as talks normalise ties

August 19, 2025 | 15:25 IST