New Delhi/ Laos: External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar met Member of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Political Bureau and Foreign Minister, Wang Yi on 25 July 2024 in Vientiane, Lao PDR on the sidelines of the ASEAN-related Foreign Ministers’ Meetings. The two Ministers reviewed the situation since their last meeting at Astana on 4 July 2024. The talks focussed on finding an early resolution of the remaining issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) to stabilize and rebuild bilateral relations.
Both Ministers agreed on the need to work with purpose and urgency to achieve complete disengagement at the earliest.
'Peace and tranquillity on the borders and respect for LAC are essential for normalcy in bilateral relations. Both sides must fully abide by relevant bilateral agreements, protocols, and understandings reached between the two Governments in the past,' Dr Jaishankar said. EAM stressed the importance of the three mutuals --- mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual sensitivity --- to our ties.
As discussed earlier, both sides will hold an early meeting of the Working Mechanism on Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) to take the discussions forward.
The two Ministers also exchanged views on the global and regional situation.
On the other hand China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, during his meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Vientiane, noted the current complex international landscape and suggested that, as two major neighbouring developing countries, India and China should step up dialogue and communication.
Underscoring the daunting global challenges, the Chinese foreign minister stressed that the two countries should increase understanding and mutual trust for mutually beneficial cooperation.
“Wang Yi said that in the face of the current complex international landscape and daunting global challenges, China and India, as two major neighbouring developing countries and emerging economies, should step up dialogue and communication, increase understanding and mutual trust, properly handle differences, and develop mutually beneficial cooperation,” the Chinese Embassy in India said in a release.
He added that the two sides should take a rational approach to rise above differences and frictions for the betterment of India-China relations.
“With a sense of responsibility for history, for the people and for the world, the two sides should take a rational approach to rise above differences and frictions to promote the improvement as well as stable and sustainable development of China-India relations,” it added.
Wang Yi said that the important impact of China-India relations goes beyond bilateral scope, according to the embassy’s statement.
Improving bilateral relations should reflect the strategic vision of China and India as two major emerging and developing countries, Wang Yi said.
“Handling the differences between the two countries should demonstrate the political wisdom of China and India as two ancient civilisations. Tackling global challenges should embody the solidarity and cooperation of countries in the Global South,” he said.
The Chinese foreign minister hoped that the two sides would work together to actively explore the right way for the two big neighbours to get along with each other and guide all communities to develop positive perceptions of each other.
“Wang Yi emphasised that a China-India relationship back on the right track serves the interests of both sides and meets the shared aspirations of countries in the Global South,” the statement read.
