Photo: China Foreign Ministry's spokesperson Lin Jian

In response media inquiry over Vikram Doraiswami's appointment as the next Ambassador of India to China, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Friday that diplomatic envoys are important bridges for friendly cooperation and relations between countries. China welcomes the appointment of the new Indian ambassador to China Vikram Doraiswami, (Chinese name Wei Jiameng 魏嘉盟), stands ready to provide him with facilitation as he carries out his duty in China, and looks forward to his positive role in promoting the continuous improvement and growth of China-India ties.

Doraiswami, presently High Commissioner of India to the UK, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to China, India's Ministry of External Affairs announced in a press release on Thursday, saying the diplomat is expected to take up the assignment shortly.

Several Indian media reported China's welcome. The Press Trust of India published article entitled "China welcomes Vikram Doraiswami's appointment as India's new envoy," saying China expressed hope that "he will make a positive contribution to the sustained improvement" of China-India ties.

The Business Today said in a report on Friday that "Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian said envoys are important bridges for fostering friendly and cooperative relations between nations, and that after assuming his duties, Doraiswami would make positive contributions."

Entitled "Important bridge for bilateral ties: Beijing welcomes Doraiswami's appointment as India's new envoy to China," the United News of India said in a story that the Chinese Foreign Ministry "expressed confidence that Doraiswami, who has adopted the Chinese name Wei Jiameng, would make positive contributions after assuming his duties."

Qian Feng, director of the research department at Tsinghua University's National Strategy Institute, told the Global Times on Friday that the Chinese Foreign Ministry publicly expressing welcome at a press conference reflects China's goodwill and sincerity in advancing and developing China-India relations.

Notably, the ministry voiced hope that the new ambassador will play "positive role in promoting the continuous improvement and growth of China-India ties." This in fact represents a positive official stance by China on the current development trajectory of bilateral ties, which is that China-India relations are on a path of sustained improvement, and the two sides are expected to meet each other halfway, Qian said.

This assignment would be Doraiswami's return to China, according to the Business Today. He was posted to the High Commission of India in Hong Kong in May 1994. He had learned Chinese then, taking an elective diploma in the language in the New Asia Yale-in-Asia language school of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, per Business Today, adding that Doraiswami was also posted to the Embassy of India in Beijing in September 1996 where he served for nearly four years.

In recent months, China and India have taken steps to restore normalcy, including resuming direct flights, easing visa restrictions, and restarting the pilgrimage journey.

The United News of India commented on Friday that "the appointment comes at a strategic moment as India-China relations continue to strengthen." Likewise, the Indian Panorama said that Doraiswami's appointment comes at a crucial juncture in China-India relations, as recent months have seen cautious efforts by both sides to stabilize ties through continued diplomatic engagement. 

In February this year, senior officials from China and India held a new round of China-India Strategic Dialogue in New Delhi, with both sides having friendly, candid and in-depth communication on the international and regional situation, respective internal and external policies, international and regional issues of shared interest, and China-India relations.

By dispatching this senior diplomat to Beijing, India seeks to engage more precisely and effectively with China at the frontline level, thereby facilitating the management of complex and sensitive bilateral issues, managing differences and broadening cooperation, some Chinese analysts said.