Highlights:
- EAM S Jaishankar had a telephone conversation yesterday afternoon with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi
- The two ministers addressed the LAC situation and other issues related to the overall ties between India and China
- In a statement, China’s foreign ministry confirmed that India and China’s foreign ministers “agreed to set up a hotline to exchange views in a timely manner”
On Friday, Foreign Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stressed that after the disengagement in the Pangong Lake region, India and China must quickly resolve the remaining issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh. He also noted that over the past year, the bilateral relations between the two countries have been negatively impacted.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated during a press briefing that EAM S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi had a phone conversation yesterday afternoon. The discussion lasted for 75 minutes and the two ministers discussed the LAC situation and other issues related to the overall relationship between India and China.
Jaishankar recalled the meeting in Moscow on September 2020 with the Chinese Foreign Minister, where the Indian side expressed its concern about disruptive behaviour and unilateral attempts to change the status quo by the Chinese side.
EAM S Jaishankar & State Councillor & Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi had a phone conversation y'day afternoon. It lasted 75 minutes. Two Foreign Ministers discussed situation along LAC in Eastern Ladakh & also issues related to overall India-China relations: MEA
— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2021
(file pics) pic.twitter.com/Z1m0lDXEEv
As per the MEA, S Jaishankar stated that, over the past year, the bilateral relations between the two countries have been seriously affected. He said that it could take time to solve the Boundary Issue, but the interruption of peace and tranquilly, even through aggression, would eventually have a negative effect on the relationship.
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The Indian Foreign Minister emphasized that since then, through both diplomatic and military channels, the two sides have maintained continuous communication. This led to progress as both sides successfully disengaged earlier this month in the Pangong Tso Lake region, the MEA said.
Noting the completion of disengagement in the Pangong Lake area, EAM S Jaishankar emphasised that the remaining issues along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh should now be resolved quickly by both sides.
State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, meanwhile, expressed his satisfaction with the progress made to date.
During a telephone call, Wang told Jaishankar, “The restoration of harmony and tranquillity in the border areas was a significant move forward. He felt that attempts to consolidate outcomes should be made by both sides. It was also important to honestly apply the mutual understanding reached at different levels. He spoke of the need for better management and control in the border regions.”
The Chinese Foreign Minister also stated that “three mutuals” (mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interests) were suggested by the Indian side as the solution to the relationship. He also agreed on the significance of taking a long view of our ties. The two ministers decided that they would stay in touch and set up a hotline, the MEA said.
