NEW DELHI: India and China underscored the importance of peace and tranquility in border areas for overall progress in ties, while reiterating their commitment to implement the guidance provided by their leaders, including on the need to proceed from a “political and strategic direction” on issues and concerns related to bilateral trade.According to an Indian readout, at a meeting between foreign secretary Vikram Misri and visiting Chinese executive vice foreign minister Ma Zhaoxu, Beijing also conveyed that China understands and respects India’s aspirations for UNSC membership. Unlike other countries, China has not explicitly endorsed India’s permanent membership bid. In the past, it has only expressed understanding for India’s aspirations to play “a greater role” in the UN. In 2014 though, in a joint statement after President Xi Jinping’s visit, Beijing stated it “supports India’s aspiration to play a greater role in the UN, including in the Security Council”. While this is the first such acknowledgement after the recent military standoff, it still stops short of explicitly endorsing India’s case. The Chinese readout did not mention the UNSC membership issue.Ma Zhaoxu was in India to participate in the Brics Sherpa Meeting from Feb 8-10. “The two sides exchanged views on a wide gamut of issues… Bilateral discussions primarily focussed on the recent progress made in stabilising and rebuilding bilateral ties and ways to take bilateral engagement forward,” said an Indian readout.Misri noted the successful resumption of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and hoped for the continued expansion of the scale of the yatra. Both sides agreed to continue to take practical steps for visa facilitation and promote people-to-people contacts.