Xu Feihong from China was among seven diplomats who presented their credentials to President Droupadi Murmu.

In a ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday, Chinese diplomat Xu Feihong, appointed to New Delhi earlier this month after a vacancy of almost a year and a half, officially presented his credentials to President Droupadi Murmu.

Lindy Elizabeth Cameron, the new British High Commissioner, along with representatives from five other nations, also submitted their credentials during the same event.

Xu steps into his role amid notably strained relations between India and China, exacerbated by an ongoing military standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), which has now extended into its fifth year.

Upon his arrival in India, Xu expressed his commitment to enhancing mutual understanding and friendship, aiming to reinvigorate cooperation across various domains. He emphasized the Chinese stance that the border dispute should be appropriately contextualized within the broader scope of bilateral ties. On the other hand, India has made it clear that the normalization of relations with China is contingent upon restoring peace and tranquillity along the LAC. Despite numerous diplomatic and military discussions, the two countries remain at an impasse over specific contentious areas, including Depsang and Demchok.

One of Cameron’s key objectives will be to advance the negotiations for an India-UK free trade agreement (FTA). Although talks commenced in 2022 and have progressed through 14 rounds, significant disagreements remain unresolved, particularly concerning tariffs on British whisky and automobiles, market access, and the mobility of professionals.

The event also saw credential presentations from envoys of other countries, including Patrick John Rata from New Zealand, Fernando Xavier Bucheli Vargas from Ecuador, Meshal Mustafa J Alshemali from Kuwait, Alassane Conte from Guinea, and Jagnnath Sami from Fiji.