Beijing: Claiming that the communication between the diplomatic and military departments of the two countries in the previous stage has been serious and effective, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi has told Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar on the sidelines of the SCO meeting in Dushanbe (Tajikistan) that Beijing has always properly handled the China-India border issue with a “positive attitude”.
Offering a readout on the meeting between the two ministers, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said here today that the China-India border situation is generally moving in the direction of amelioration.
“We hope that the Indian side will work with China to continuously stabilize the situation and gradually shift from emergency response to regular management. The two sides should consolidate the achievements of disengagement of front-line troops, strictly abide by agreements and consensus reached between the two countries, jointly safeguard peace and tranquility in the border areas and prevent recurring border-related incidents,” Lijian said.
Wang and Jaishankar had met on September 16, local time.
State Councilor Wang pointed out that China and India, as two major emerging economies, should continue to adhere to the strategic consensus that the two countries pose no threat but offer development opportunities to each other, and bring bilateral relations and practical cooperation onto the track of sound and steady development. “This is not only in the common interests of the two countries, but also conducive to regional and world peace and development,” he said.
Dr. Jaishankar said India and China have made progress in dealing with the border situation, while there are still some outstanding issues to be resolved. According to Lijian, India was ready to work with China to abide by the agreements reached between the two sides, push for positive outcomes of the next round of commander-level meeting and earnestly safeguard peace and tranquility in the border regions.
“The Indian side hopes that both sides will work together to bring India-China relations back on track, and guide all parties to establish a perception of India-China relations that is more positive and mutually beneficial. India does not subscribe to any clash of civilisations theory, and believes that solidarity among Asian countries is very important,” Lijian told reporters. He said Asian solidarity would be impossible without India-China cooperation.
“India is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China within the frameworks of BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to jointly tackle terrorism and other global challenges,” he said.
Lijian further said that China agrees with what the Indian side said about “it is essential to avoid viewing bilateral relations through the lens of a third country”.
He reiterated that both China and India are important countries in Asia. “The development of China-India relations has its own logic. China-India relations have never targeted any third party,” he pointed out.
– global bihari bureau
