Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has emerged as a key player in India-China relations, with his appointment by President Xi Jinping as the Special Envoy for meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During his visit to New Delhi in June 2014, Wang Yi secured a visit from Xi Jinping later that year and invited Modi to Beijing soon after.
Wang Yi’s rise to prominence is attributed to his seniority in the party structure and his hard bargaining skills during negotiations. He was elevated to the Politburo in 2022 and is now part of a breed of seasoned Foreign Ministers who present their leader’s vision in diplomatic terms.
As a seasoned diplomat, Wang Yi has conducted backroom talks for Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee’s visit to Beijing in 2003. He is known for his smooth-talking engagement style during high-stakes negotiations, including the Doklam standoff and the Galwan clashes.
However, India has expressed concerns about Wang Yi’s ‘South Asian’ groupings, including a recent meeting with Pakistan and Bangladesh on trade, which appear to be part of a plan to create a “SAARC minus India”.
Wang Yi’s diplomatic efforts have been instrumental in brokering talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia, as well as U.S.-North Korea negotiations. He has also helped facilitate discussions between Cambodia and Thailand, Afghanistan and Pakistan, and Myanmar’s military junta and armed ethnic groups.
Despite his tough exterior, Wang Yi’s vision for international relations is centered around promoting “win-win” solutions that prioritize China’s interests. His recent establishment of the first inter-governmental organisation for international mediation in Hong Kong reflects this approach.
In summary, Wang Yi has established himself as a key player in India-China relations, with his diplomatic efforts driven by a focus on China’s interests and a willingness to negotiate hard.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/wang-yi-the-silver-fox-of-chinese-diplomacy/article69969134.ece