External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held talks with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meetings. Following the meeting, Jaishankar emphasized that the condition of the border would directly impact “state of our ties”., urging China to uphold the Line of Actual Control and honor previous agreements in their entirety.
“Met with CPC Politburo member and FM Wang Yi in Vientiane today. Continued our ongoing discussions about our bilateral relationship. The state of the border will necessarily be reflected on the state of our ties,” S Jaishankar said in a post on X after meeting with Wang on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meetings.
Met with CPC Politburo member and FM Wang Yi in Vientiane today.
Continued our ongoing discussions about our bilateral relationship. The state of the border will necessarily be reflected on the state of our ties.
Agreed on the need to give strong guidance to complete the… pic.twitter.com/pZDRio1e94
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) July 25, 2024
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The discussions between Jaishankar and Wang took place against the backdrop of the prolonged border dispute in eastern Ladakh, which has persisted for five years since May.
“Agreed on the need to give strong guidance to complete the disengagement process. Must ensure full respect for the LAC and past agreements. It is in our mutual interest to stabilise our ties. We should approach the immediate issues with a sense of purpose and urgency,” he added.
India and China’s relations soured significantly following a tragic incident in June 2020, where 20 Indian Army soldiers lost their lives in a violent clash with Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley. The skirmish, which involved hand-to-hand combat, also resulted in casualties among Chinese soldiers.
Jaishankar’s visit to Vientiane from July 25 to 27 underscores India’s active participation in the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meetings, including the ASEAN-India, East Asia Summit (EAS), and ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF). The visit highlights India’s strong commitment to ASEAN unity, the centrality of ASEAN, and initiatives such as the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). The Ministry of External Affairs has emphasized India’s deep engagement with ASEAN-centered regional frameworks and its dedication to advancing the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during this visit.
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