External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar engaged in a crucial bilateral meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Astana on Thursday.
The primary focus of their discussions centred on expediting the resolution of lingering border issues between India and China.
Following their meeting, Minister Jaishankar highlighted the agreement to intensify efforts through diplomatic and military channels aimed at achieving an early resolution.
Essential to this effort, he highlighted, was the imperative of respecting the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and maintaining peace and tranquillity in the border regions.
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Jaishankar underscored that bilateral ties between India and China would be guided by the principles of mutual respect, mutual sensitivity, and mutual interest.
In a statement shared post-meeting on social media, Jaishankar stated, “Met with CPC Politburo member and FM Wang Yi in Astana this morning. Discussed early resolution of remaining issues in border areas. Agreed to redouble efforts through diplomatic and military channels to that end. Respecting the LAC and ensuring peace and tranquillity in the border areas is essential. The three mutuals – mutual respect, mutual sensitivity, and mutual interest – will guide our bilateral ties.”
This bilateral engagement assumes significance against the backdrop of recent developments, including China’s unilateral move to rename locations in Arunachal Pradesh, a move sharply rebuked by India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) as “senseless”.
In response, India initiated a counter nomenclature offensive, reclaiming historical names in Indian languages for 30 places in Tibet, among other efforts.
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This meeting marks the first bilateral engagement between Jaishankar and Wang Yi since Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s third term began.
It comes amidst ongoing military tensions that have persisted since May 2020, stemming from China’s attempts to alter the status quo along the Line of Actual Control.
At the SCO Summit, leaders are expected to review the organisation’s activities spanning two decades and discuss prospects for enhancing multilateral cooperation.
The outcome of these discussions underscores ongoing efforts towards diplomatic dialogue and stability in the region, amidst broader international dynamics and strategic considerations.
