External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday said that after making "good progress" in normalising bilateral relations over the past nine months, India and China should now focus on avoiding "restrictive" trade measures and "roadblocks", in an apparent reference to Beijing stopping the export of critical minerals. He also emphasised on de-escalating the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The remarks came during Jaishankar’s wide-ranging talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, where both sides discussed key regional and global issues. Emphasising the need to build on recent momentum, Jaishankar underlined that the time had come to move forward on resolving the lingering border tensions and ensure peace and stability along the LAC.
Jaishankar also emphasised the importance of adopting a far-sighted perspective in steering India-China relations. During his discussions with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Jaishankar underscored that the evolving bilateral relationship between the two neighbouring powers demands a long-term, strategic approach. He highlighted that careful, forward-looking diplomacy is essential to managing complexities and fostering stability in the region. Call for open, honest dialogue
Jaishankar also noted that the bilateral relationship between India and China has been steadily improving following the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Kazan in October 2024. His remarks came during his televised opening statement at a meeting with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng.
Highlighting the significance of ongoing diplomatic engagement, Jaishankar said that a continued normalisation of ties between the two Asian giants could lead to outcomes that are mutually beneficial. He also underlined the importance of open and honest dialogue, especially in the context of the increasingly complex global environment. "Our bilateral relationship, as you have pointed, has been steadily improving since the meeting between Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi and President Xi Jinping in Kazan last October," Jaishankar said in his televised opening remarks in the meeting. I am confident that my discussions in this visit will maintain that positive trajectory," he stated.
In the last few months, India and China have initiated a number of measures to repair the bilateral ties that had severely nosedived following the deadly clashes between the two militaries in June 2020. The external affairs minister also referred to the 75th anniversary of the establishment of India-China diplomatic relations. "The resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is also widely appreciated in India. Continued normalisation of our ties can produce mutually beneficial outcomes," he said.
