Nuclear-armed rivals India and China have agreed to resume direct flights for the first time in five years, ahead of a meeting between leaders Narendra Modi and Xi Jinping.

Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi is set to meet with India’s prime minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday as part of a two-day visit to Delhi, the latest sign of warming ties between the two Asian giants.

PM Modi noted improved India-China relations since his meeting with Xi, anticipating further progress at the SCO Summit. NSA Doval and Foreign Minister Wang Yi discussed border stability and bilateral ties with Wang Yi.

The Tejas Mark 1A has advanced radars and avionics than its predecessor, and the latest batch will have over 65 indigenous components compared to the earlier 40 jets.

There is an upward trend in India-China relations and Beijing has promised to address New Delhi's needs on rare earths, a top Indian official and a source said on Tuesday, as the neighbours rebuild ties that were damaged by a 2020 border clash.

Narendra Modi said he received a phone call from his “friend” Vladimir Putin, who shared his insights on a recent meeting with Trump in Alaska, in another signal that ties between New Delhi and Moscow remain strong.