Noting that good progress has been achieved in the past nine months for normalization of Sino-Indian relations, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday said it is now incumbent on the two nations to resolve issues related to their boundary dispute, including de-escalation in eastern Ladakh.
Jaishankar, who is presently in China on a three-day visit to attend the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Tianjin, held talks in Beijing with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.
“We have made good progress in the past nine months for the normalisation of our bilateral relations. It is a result of the resolution of friction along the border and our ability to maintain peace and tranquility there. This is the fundamental basis for mutual strategic trust and for smooth development of bilateral relations. It is now incumbent on us to address other aspects related to the border, including de-escalation,” he said in the meeting.
He said as neighbouring nations and major economies in the world today, there are various facets and dimensions of India and China ties.
“Measures towards normalizing our people–to–people exchanges can certainly foster mutually beneficial cooperation. It is also essential in this context that restrictive trade measures and roadblocks are avoided. I hope to discuss these issues in further detail,” Jaishankar said.
“Our meeting today will also include an exchange of views on global and regional issues. Tomorrow, we will be meeting in the format of the SCO, whose primary mandate is to combat terrorism, separatism and extremism. This is a shared concern and India hopes that zero tolerance for terrorism will be strongly upheld,” the External Affairs Minister said.
“Our bilateral relationship requires that we take a far-seeing approach to our ties. Since our leaders’ meeting in Kazan in October 2024, the India-China relationship has been gradually moving in a positive direction. Our responsibility is to maintain that momentum,” he said.
“This year, we are marking the 75th year of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries. We appreciate that the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra has also resumed after a gap of five years. I thank the Chinese side for their cooperation on this matter,” the External Affairs Minister said.
He said stable and constructive ties between India and China are not only to ”our benefit, but that of the world as well”. This is best done by handling relations on the basis of mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual sensitivity, he said.
“We have also earlier agreed that differences should not become disputes, nor should competition ever become conflict. On this foundation, we can now continue to develop our ties along a positive trajectory,” he said.
Earlier, Jaishankar held talks in Beijing with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng soon after his arrival.
In his opening remarks at the meeting, the External Affairs Minister said India supports a successful Chinese presidency at the SCO.
“Our bilateral relationship, as you have pointed out, has been steadily improving since the meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi Jinping in Kazan last October. I am confident that my discussions in this visit will maintain that positive trajectory,” he said.
Marking the 75th anniversary of India-China diplomatic ties, Jaishankar highlighted a key development: the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, which had been suspended for five years due to the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent border tensions.
“The resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is also widely appreciated in India. Continued normalisation of our ties can produce mutually beneficial outcomes,” he said.
Referring to the current international environment, Jaishankar added, “The international situation, as we meet today, is very complex. As neighbouring nations and major economies, an open exchange of views and perspectives between India and China is very important.”
He said he looked forward to such discussions during his visit.
Following the meeting, Jaishankar posted on social media, “Pleased to meet Vice President Han Zheng soon after my arrival in Beijing today. Conveyed India’s support for China’s SCO Presidency.”
“Noted the improvement in our bilateral ties. And expressed confidence that discussions during my visit will maintain that positive trajectory,” he added.
This is EAM Jaishankar’s first visit to China since the deadly Galwan Valley clash in June 2020, which severely strained bilateral relations.
Meanwhile, as part of ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar planted a pomegranate sapling at the Indian Embassy in China premises.
He also interacted with Embassy officials in Beijing.
In a post on X, Jaishankar stated, “EkPedMaaKeNaam Planted a pomegranate sapling earlier today at the Embassy. Also interacted with our Team @EOIBeijing.”
Jaishankar arrived in China after concluding his visit to Singapore, his first trip to Beijing in five years.
Earlier in the day, Jaishankar met with Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Secretary General Nurlan Yermekbayev in Beijing. He said that his discussions with Yermekbayev included the contribution and importance of the 10-member organisation and endeavours to modernise its working.
In a post on X, Jaishankar wrote, “Glad to meet SCO SG Nurlan Yermekbayev in Beijing today. Discussed the contribution and importance of SCO, as well as the endeavours to modernise its working.”