Beijing [China], July 15 (HBTV): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held detailed talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing and stressed the need for a far-seeing approach to bilateral ties. He expressed confidence that India-China relations could develop positively on the foundation of mutual respect, mutual interest, and mutual sensitivity.
In a post on X, Jaishankar stated, ‘Held detailed talks with Politburo Member and FM Wang Yi in Beijing this evening. Spoke about the need for a far-seeing approach to bilateral ties and building a stable & constructive relationship. Incumbent on us to address aspects related to the border, normalizing people-to-people exchanges and avoiding restrictive trade measures & roadblocks.’
He added, ‘Confident that on the foundation of mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual sensitivity, ties can develop along a positive trajectory. Look forward to attending the SCO Foreign Ministers Meeting in Tianjin tomorrow. India is committed to ensuring good outcomes and decisions.’
In his opening remarks during the meeting with Wang Yi, Jaishankar observed that India and China had made significant progress over the past nine months in normalising relations, largely due to the resolution of border friction in eastern Ladakh. He said both sides must now focus on other border-related aspects, including de-escalation, and emphasised the need to avoid restrictive trade barriers.
Jaishankar, who is in China to attend the SCO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, stated that stable and constructive India-China ties are not only important for both countries but also for the wider global community.
‘Our bilateral relationship requires that we take a far-seeing approach to our ties. 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 said.
He noted that recent interactions between the two leaders at international forums had enabled strategic communication and expressed hope that such exchanges would continue regularly in each other’s countries.
Highlighting the significance of 2025 as the 75th year of diplomatic ties between the two nations, Jaishankar said, ‘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.’
Reiterating the need to strengthen mutual strategic trust, Jaishankar said, ‘We have made good progress in the past nine months for the normalization of our bilateral relations. It is a result of the resolution of friction along the border and our ability to maintain peace and tranquility there. This is the fundamental basis for mutual strategic trust and for smooth development of bilateral relations. It is now incumbent on us to address other aspects related to the border, including de-escalation.’
India and China had reached an agreement on patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control in Depsang and Demchok on October 21, 2024, leading to disengagement from all friction points arising since 2020.
Jaishankar also stressed the importance of promoting people-to-people exchanges and reducing trade barriers.
‘Measures towards normalizing our people-to-people exchanges can certainly foster mutually beneficial cooperation. It is also essential in this context that restrictive trade measures and roadblocks are avoided. I hope to discuss these issues in further detail,’ he said.
He reiterated that bilateral relations must be managed with mutual respect and care for each other’s sensitivities.
‘Stable and constructive ties between India and China are not only to our benefit, but that of the world as well. This is best done by handling relations on the basis of mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual sensitivity. We have also earlier agreed that differences should not become disputes, nor should competition ever become conflict. On this foundation, we can now continue to develop our ties along a positive trajectory,’ he said.
On regional security, Jaishankar said India hopes the upcoming SCO Foreign Ministers’ meeting would strongly uphold zero tolerance for terrorism.
‘Our meeting today will also include an exchange of views on global and regional issues. Tomorrow, we will be meeting in the format of the SCO, whose primary mandate is to combat terrorism, separatism and extremism. This is a shared concern and India hopes that zero tolerance for terrorism will be strongly upheld,’ he said.
He concluded by acknowledging Wang Yi’s long-standing role in managing bilateral ties and expressed optimism about continuing meaningful exchanges. Jaishankar also conveyed best wishes to China for a successful SCO Presidency.
(ANI)