'Address LAC De-Escalation': Jaishankar Tells China’s Wang Yi, Lauds 'Good Progress' In Ties
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday said that India and China have made "good progress" in normalising the bilateral ties in the past nine months, but should now also look into border issues, including de-escalation of the situation along the Line of Actual Control.
During his meeting with the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, in Beijing, Jaishankar also mentioned "resolution of friction along the border," as he expressed the need to address other aspects of the issue.
"We have made good progress in the past nine months for the normalisation of our bilateral relations. It is a result of the resolution of friction along the border and our ability to maintain peace and tranquillity there," he said, referring to a meeting between PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Kazan on October 23.
"This is the fundamental basis for mutual strategic trust and for the smooth development of bilateral relations. It is now incumbent on us to address other aspects related to the border, including de-escalation," he added, while making opening remarks during the meeting.
Jaishankar told his Chinese counterpart that the relations between India and China can continue to develop in a "positive trajectory" if ongoing differences do not turn into disputes and competition into conflict.
He further pointed out at the need to avoid "restrictive" trade measures and "roadblocks", making an apparent reference to Beijing halting the export of critical minerals.
"Since our leaders' meeting in Kazan in October 2024, the India-China relationship has been gradually moving in a positive direction. Our responsibility is to maintain that momentum," he added.
The external affairs minister also highlighted that the establishment of India-China relations has marked 75 years. He further appreciated China for its cooperation in resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra after five years.
"This year, we are marking the 75th year of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries. We appreciate that the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra has also resumed after a gap of five years. I thank the Chinese side for their cooperation on this matter"
In a post on X, Jaishankar shared about his detailed talks with Wang Yi. "Spoke about the need for a far-seeing approach to bilateral ties and building a stable & constructive relationship," he wrote.
The EAM will be attending the SCO Foreign Ministers Meeting in Tianjin tomorrow.
Earlier today, Jaishankar held a meeting with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, during which he expressed India's "support for China's SCO Presidency".
He also met IDCPC Minister Liu Jianchao and discussed the changing global order and the emergence of multipolarity. They also spoke about a "constructive India-China relationship in that context."
This is Jaishankar's first visit to China after the ties deteriorated between the two nations following the deadly Galwan valley clash in 2020. Recently, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval also visited China for SCO meetings in June.
world