India, China Agree To Settle ‘Disputes’

In his opening remarks at the bilateral meeting with visiting Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi here on Monday evening, external affairs minister S. Jaishankar clearly told him that “the basis for any positive momentum in our ties is the ability to jointly maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas and that it is essential that the de-escalation process move forward” between the two militaries in the Ladakh sector.

Pressing for a “candid and constructive approach” in bilateral ties. the EAM pointed out that the two nations “must be guided by the three mutuals — mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest”.

New Delhi: In his opening remarks at the bilateral meeting with visiting Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi here on Monday evening, external affairs minister S. Jaishankar clearly told him that “the basis for any positive momentum in our ties is the ability to jointly maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas and that it is essential that the de-escalation process move forward” between the two militaries in the Ladakh sector.

Pressing for a “candid and constructive approach” in bilateral ties. the EAM pointed out that the two nations “must be guided by the three mutuals — mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest”. He said that “having seen a difficult period in our relationship, our two nations now seek to move ahead”. He also said “differences must not become disputes, nor competition conflict”.

“Today, our talks will cover economic and trade issues, pilgrimages, people-to-people contacts, river data sharing, border trade, connectivity and bilateral exchanges. I would like to follow up on some particular concerns that I had brought up with you, Excellency, when I visited China in July,” Mr Jaishankar said, in a veiled reference to Beijing’s trade policy. In the wake of India’s Operation Sindoor in May this year against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism that followed the horrific Pahalgam terror attack, the EAM termed “the fight against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations is another major priority”. In the obvious backdrop of tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, including penalty tariffs on the import of Russian oil, the EAM said: “In the current environment, there is clearly the imperative of maintaining and enhancing stability in the global economy as well.” He added: “Overall, it is our expectation that our discussions would contribute to building a stable, cooperative and forward-looking relationship between India and China, one that serves both our interests and addresses our concerns.”

It may be noted that China is the biggest global importer of Russian oil, followed closely by India, but the US has announced imposition of a 25 per cent penalty on Indian imports of Russian oil without levying any such tariff on China. Mr Wang’s visit is being seen as a further thaw in Sino-Indian ties amid the increased economic pressure from the United States in the form of punitive tariffs.

Addressing Mr Wang, the EAM said: “I welcome you and your delegation to India at the start of your visit for the 24th round of talks between the Special Representatives of India and China. This is also the first visit by a Chinese minister since our leaders met in Kazan in October 2024. This occasion provides us an opportunity to meet and review our bilateral ties. It is also an appropriate time to exchange views on the global situation and some issues of mutual interest. Excellency, when the world’s two largest nations meet, it is natural that the international situation will be discussed. We seek a fair, balanced and multi-polar world order, including a multi-polar Asia. Reformed multilateralism is also the call of the day… I look forward to our exchange of views.” He added: “You are visiting India, Excellency, shortly before the SCO summit that China is hosting in Tianjin. We have worked closely with the Chinese side during its presidency. We wish you a successful summit with strong outcomes and decisions.”

Mr Modi’s China visit will be his first since the deadly Galwan Valley clash between Indian and Chinese troops in Ladakh in mid-June 2020. Mr Modi had last visited China twice in 2018, first for the informal summit with President Xi in Wuhan, and then for the SCO summit in Qingdao two months later in June that year. President Xi too had visited India last in 2019 for the informal summit with Mr Modi near Chennai in October. Mr Modi is almost certainly expected to hold a bilateral meeting with President Xi, which will be his second one in the past one year. Both leaders held a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Brics summit in Russia’s Kazan in October 2024.