Sino-Indian ties damaged by Doklam, not derailed: China

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi today said relations between China and India were "not derailed" while admitting that ties were "damaged and affected" during the 73-day long Doklam standoff.

Wang said this in his first remarks after the bilateral meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping two days ago on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit, reports The Indian Express.

Wang said that relations with India were not "derailed" and underscored the importance of bilateral ties. "Sino-Indian relations are not derailed. Sino-Indian development represents the future of the world… win-win cooperation is an inevitable choice and the correct direction for Sino-Indian ties," he told reporters at a press conference, the Indian daily reported.

However, he admitted that the Sino-Indian relations were indeed damaged and affected.

The Chinese foreign minister added that the Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian PM Narendra Modi have held successful bilateral talks in Xiamen and both sides should conscientiously implement the consensus of the leaders and ensure healthy and stable development.

Wang said that the two countries should learn from the past and maintain a peaceful border with no confrontation, and stressed on the need to build strategic mutual trust between the two sides, reports The Indian Express.

China and India should work and regard each other as partners of cooperation, rather than being driven by old fashioned mindsets and regarding each other as rivals or threats, Wang said.

Differences and problems should be handled properly along the lines of the five principles of peaceful coexistence, he added.