Essential that China shouldn't view ties with India through lens of third country: Jaishankar tells his Chinese counerpart at SCO

New Delhi, Sept 17: "It is essential that China does not view its relations with India through the lens of a third country", said External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday at 21st Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Dushanbe.

 

 

 

Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi met on the sidelines of the Summit and discussed the disengagement process between the two countries along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Jaishankar further stated that China and India should set an example for Asian solidarity.

 

"Emphasized that India does not subscribe to any clash of civilizations theory. It is also essential that China does not view its relations with India through the lens of a third country. As for Asian solidarity, it is for China and India to set an example. Met Chinese FM Wang Yi on the sidelines of SCO Summit in Dushanbe. Discussed disengagement in our border areas. Underlined that progress in this regard is essential for restoration of peace and tranquillity, which is the basis for the development of bilateral ties," tweeted Jaishankar.

 

 

Jaishankar noted that since their last meeting on July 14, the two sides had made some progress in the resolution of the remaining issues along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh and had completed the disengagement in the Gogra area. "However there were still some outstanding issues that needed to be resolved," read the Ministry of External Affairs release.

 

 

Both Ministers agreed that "military and diplomatic officials of both sides should meet again and continue their discussions to resolve the remaining issues (along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh) at the earliest." The two Ministers exchanged views on the current situation along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh as well as on global developments.

 

Jaishankar recalled that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang had in their last meeting noted that the bilateral relations were at low ebb. Both sides had agreed that a prolongation of the existing situation was not in the interest of either side as it was impacting the relationship in a negative manner. He, therefore, emphasized that the two sides should work towards early resolution of the remaining issues along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh while fully abiding by bilateral agreements and protocols.

 

Jaishankar further underlined that it was necessary to ensure progress in the resolution of remaining issues so as to restore peace and tranquillity along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh noting that peace and tranquillity in the border areas have been an essential basis for progress in the bilateral relations.

 

 

"In this regard, the Ministers agreed that military and diplomatic officials of the two sides should meet again and continue their discussions to resolve the remaining issues at the earliest," read the release. The two Ministers also exchanged views on the recent global developments. Jaishankar conveyed that India had never subscribed to any clash of civilisations theory.

 

He said that India and China had to deal with each other on merits and establish a relationship based on mutual respect. For this, it was necessary that China avoid viewing our bilateral relations from the perspective of its relations with third countries. Asian solidarity would depend on the example set by India-China relations. The two Ministers agreed to remain in touch.