The newly appointed Chinese Ambassador to India arrived in New Delhi on Friday, ending an 18-month-long suspense over the appointment of the new head of the Chinese Mission in Delhi.
Xu Feihong’s appointment comes at a critical time in China-India relations, as both countries are working to resolve a prolonged military standoff in eastern Ladakh. With a diplomatic career spanning 37 years, Xu’s journey has seen him in various roles and countries, including as ambassador to Afghanistan from 2011 to 2013 and Romania from 2015 to 2018.
Before his India appointment, Xu was assistant minister for financial and administrative affairs in the country’s foreign ministry. Xu’s appointment seems a well-thought-out decision by the Chinese Government. As a Chinese diplomat, most of his postings have been in the Western world. His only previous posting in South Asia was as ambassador to Afghanistan. He holds a bachelor’s degree in law and joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in 1987.
As the new ambassador, Xu Feihong’s primary task in India will be to enhance mutual understanding and trust between China and India, which has been on a freefall since the Galwan Clash of 2020. However, the bilateral trade between the two countries has been growing significantly. The first half of 2023 saw the total India-China trade reaching $57.48 billion, up 62.7% year-on-year, which is a significant increase in recent years, but heavily tilted in Beijing’s favour.
Direct flights between India and China have not resumed since the Covid-19 pandemic. Indian students have been severely affected by visa bans imposed by China. The visa bans, which were a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, have impacted many Indian students, particularly those studying medicine, leading to prolonged academic periods and financial strain.
Catch Highlights of Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 3 Voting In Karnataka And Gujarat on our website.
Comments
0 comment