Beijing: Indian external affairs minister S Jaishankar highlighted the importance of peace and tranquility along the border for improved ties between the two countries during his meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi at Beijing during his ongoing visit to China.
Apart from being the foreign minister of the country, Yi is a politburo member of the Communist Party of China. During the meeting, both ministers reviewed the state of India-China bilateral relations. The meeting comes at a crucial time when US president Donald Trump has threatened both countries with the imposition of higher tariffs.
According to a statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs, both Jaishankar and Yi took note of the recent progress made by the two sides to stabilize and rebuild ties, with priority on people-centric engagements, including activities to commemorate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries earlier this year.
“The external affairs minister appreciated the Chinese side’s cooperation for resumption of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra. The two sides agreed to take additional practical steps, including travel to each other’s country and direct flight connectivity, for facilitating people-to-people exchanges,” the statement said.
“The EAM also highlighted the positive impact of peace and tranquility along the border for the smooth development in bilateral relations and supported continued efforts towards de-escalation and border management. He underlined the need for cooperation on trans-border rivers, including resumption of provision of hydrological data by the Chinese side. He also took up the issue of restrictive trade measures that act as roadblocks to economic cooperation,” it added.
The two ministers discussed regional and global issues of common interest, with Jaishankar expressing India’s support to the Chinese side for a successful Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Presidency.
“The discussions were constructive and forward-looking. The ministers agreed to remain in touch, including through bilateral visits and meetings. During the course of the day, the EAM also called on China’s vice president Han Zheng, and also met Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Liu Jianchao,” it was stated.
Jaishankar will travel to Tianjin for the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers, and attend other events related to the SCO.