Vientiane, July 26, 2024 – External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday met his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meetings. In a stern message to China, Jaishankar stressed that the state of the border would be reflected in the “state of our ties” and emphasized the need for China to ensure full respect for the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and past agreements.
Key Points from the Meeting:
- Bilateral Discussions: Jaishankar and Wang Yi continued their ongoing discussions about the bilateral relationship between India and China. Jaishankar highlighted that the state of the border would necessarily be reflected in the state of their ties.
- Respect for LAC: Jaishankar insisted on the need for the Chinese side to ensure full respect for the LAC, the de-facto border between India and China, and adherence to past agreements.
- Disengagement Process: The two ministers agreed on the need to give strong guidance to complete the disengagement process. Jaishankar emphasized the mutual interest in stabilizing ties and approaching immediate issues with purpose and urgency.
Context: The Jaishankar-Wang talks come amid the prolonged border row in eastern Ladakh, which entered its fifth year in May. The relationship between India and China deteriorated significantly after the brutal clash in the Galwan Valley in June 2020, where 20 Indian Army soldiers died, and several Chinese soldiers also lost their lives in hand-to-hand combat.
ASEAN Engagement: Jaishankar’s visit to Vientiane from July 25 to 27 is part of India’s participation in the Foreign Ministers’ Meetings under the ASEAN framework, including the ASEAN-India, East Asia Summit (EAS), and ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF). The visit underscores India’s deep engagement with ASEAN and its commitment to ASEAN unity and centrality, as well as the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).
For more updates on this developing story, visit Sarhind Times.
+ There are no comments
Add yours