New Delhi: India and China should adopt a “candid and constructive” approach in moving ahead in the engagement after a difficult period and it must be based on mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar conveyed this to his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Monday.
In his televised opening remarks at a meeting with Wang, the external affairs minister also pitched for taking forward the de-escalation process in the border areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh that witnessed over a four-year face-off between the militaries of the two nations.
Jaishankar held wide-ranging talks with the Chinese foreign minister shortly after he landed in Delhi on a two-day visit that came days ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s planned trip to China to attend the annual summit of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
In his comments, Jaishankar also mentioned the fight against terrorism as another “major priority” and brought up “particular concerns” he had flagged during his visit to Beijing last month.
Wang’s visit is largely seen as part of ongoing efforts by the two neighbours to rebuild their relationship after it came under severe strain following the deadly Galwan Valley clashes in 2020.
“Having seen a difficult period in our relationship, our two nations now seek to move ahead. This requires a candid and constructive approach from both sides,” the external affairs minister said.
“In that endeavour, we must be guided by the three mutuals – mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest. Differences must not become disputes, nor competition conflict,” he said.
Following the meeting, Jaishankar described the conversation as “productive”.
“Had productive conversations on our economic and trade issues, pilgrimages, people-to-people contacts, river data sharing, border trade, connectivity and bilateral exchanges. Also exchanged views on global and regional issues,” he said in a social media post.
“Confident that our discussions today would contribute to building a stable, cooperative and forward-looking relationship between India and China,” he added.
The Chinese foreign minister is in India primarily to hold a fresh round of Special Representatives (SR) dialogue on the boundary question with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. The SR talks will be held on Tuesday.
Wang and Doval are the designated special representatives for the boundary talks.
