Peace at border key to normal India-China ties: Jaishankar to Wang Yi
During the talks, Jaishankar also expressed New Delhi’s concerns over issues related to market access, trade imbalance and uncertainties regarding supply chains.
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The two ministers are in the Philippine capital to participate in high-level discussions within the framework of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Over the past few months, New Delhi and Beijing have announced a series of measures to normalize their ties, which have come under severe strain during more than four years of tensions along Ladakh’s eastern border.
“We believe that a stable and cooperative relationship can best be developed on the basis of mutual respect, mutual benefit and mutual sensitivity,” Jaishankar said in his opening speech of the meeting. he said.
“Such a relationship could make a valuable contribution to a multipolar Asia and a multipolar world.” The foreign minister also underlined the importance of maintaining peace and tranquility along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
“Peace and tranquility in the border areas is, of course, a prerequisite for normal relations. Since October 2024, both sides have taken action to achieve this important goal.” he said.
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“This will continue to require our constant attention. Relevant mechanisms in this area need to be given full support and strong encouragement,” he added.
Jaishankar also emphasized that the differences between the two sides should not turn into a dispute.
“As two large and important nations and very close neighbors, it is natural that India and China have their own special interests,” he said.
“Therefore, our leaders agreed that differences should not turn into disagreements. It is the responsibility of diplomacy to manage them properly,” he added.
The foreign minister also expressed India’s concerns over issues related to bilateral trade and supply chains, saying these important dimensions of relations need to be addressed.
“Fair market access and trade balance rank high in this context. There are also concerns about the predictability of supply chains. The facilitation of both formal and peer-to-peer exchanges deserves our attention,” he said.
“We also need to reach an agreement on the meetings of various mechanisms and platforms in line with our common priorities.”
After a series of diplomatic and military talks, the two sides withdrew their troops from various friction points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.
In October 2024, the two sides signed a disengagement agreement for Depsang and Demchok, the last two friction points in eastern Ladakh.
After the agreement was finalized, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held meetings in Kazan and made a series of decisions to improve relations.
In August last year, Prime Minister Modi went to Tianjin, China, to attend the annual SCO summit. Modi and Xi held extensive talks on the sidelines of the SCO summit. At the meeting, Modi said India is determined to advance ties with China based on mutual trust, respect and sensitivity.
“Since our leaders’ meeting in Kazan in October 2024, relations between India and China have been gradually normalizing. This aspect was further confirmed when they met in Tianjin last August,” Jaishankar said. he said.
In his speech, the foreign minister also said that the steps taken in the last few months to normalize India-China relations should be welcomed.
“This includes resumption of direct flights, updating of visa regime, resumption of Kailash Manasarovar Yatra and resumption of border trade,” he said.
Jaishankar also noted China’s support for various initiatives launched within the framework of the BRICS grouping.
“India is the chairman of BRICS this year. Take this opportunity to appreciate China’s support to various BRICS activities and initiatives during our chairmanship,” he said.
“The global situation is extremely complex at the moment. It would be appropriate to come together at an international meeting and exchange views on some urgent aspects of the situation,” he said.
