Chinese President Xi Jinping has finally announced Xu Feihong as the new Chinese Ambassador to India after a significant delay of 18 months. Xu, a seasoned diplomat who previously served as the Ambassador to Afghanistan and Romania, is set to take over from Sun Weidong, who completed his term in India in October 2022. Sun, currently a Vice Foreign Minister overseeing South Asia policy, was the Chinese envoy to Pakistan before his tenure in India.
Despite no official announcement from Indian sources, the Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed Xu's appointment, anticipating his imminent arrival in New Delhi to assume his new role. This diplomatic move is key as China and India have been immersed in frozen relations, primarily attributed to the eastern Ladakh military standoff since May 2020. The ongoing conflict has led to a halt in bilateral relations, except for trade, and prompted multiple rounds of corps commanders-level talks to find a resolution.
The eastern Ladakh standoff, which began following a violent clash in the Pangong Tso area, has seen some progress with disengagement agreements reached at various points between the Chinese People's Liberation Army and the Indian forces. However, Indian authorities continue to push for further disengagement from areas like Depsang and Demchok, emphasizing the necessity for normalized border conditions to restore relations with China. As Xu steps into his new role amidst these complex dynamics, his diplomatic efforts will be closely watched in the context of ongoing military and diplomatic negotiations between Beijing and New Delhi.