Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has met China's top diplomat and hailed the “steady progress” made in improving the countries' relationship after a yearslong standoff between the nuclear-armed powers.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday that India-China relations had made steady progress since his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in October, guided by respect for each other's interests and sensitivities.

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.

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.

Back in April, Beijing tightened the screws on exports of seven key rare earth elements and magnets, citing end-use checks and stricter licensing rules.