In a significant diplomatic engagement on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, to discuss the ongoing border issues between the two nations. The meeting, held in the Kazakh capital of Astana, focused on the importance of respecting the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and maintaining peace and tranquillity in the border areas.
What Jaishankar Spoke About LAC
Jaishankar emphasized that respecting the LAC is crucial for ensuring peace and stability along the border. He reiterated that mutual respect, mutual sensitivity, and mutual interest should guide the bilateral relations between India and China.
The talks come amid ongoing tensions between India and China, which escalated after a violent clash in eastern Ladakh in 2020. Both sides have since engaged in multiple rounds of military and diplomatic discussions to resolve the standoff. Jaishankar and Wang Yi agreed to intensify efforts through diplomatic and military channels to address the remaining issues.
During the meeting, Jaishankar conveyed India’s stance that peace in the border areas is a prerequisite for normalizing overall relations with China. He highlighted that the three mutuals – mutual respect, mutual sensitivity, and mutual interest – will continue to be the guiding principles for India-China relations.
The SCO summit provided a platform for both leaders to take stock of the situation along the LAC and discuss ways to achieve complete disengagement in the remaining friction points. The meeting was marked by a warm handshake and a commitment to redouble efforts to resolve the border issues peacefully5.
As the world watches closely, the outcome of these talks will be crucial in shaping the future of India-China relations and ensuring stability in the region.
