China & India should meet each other halfway: Beijing

S Jaishankar, Wang Yi

NEW DELHI: External affairs minister S Jaishankar sought a candid and constructive approach to bilateral ties, as India and China seek to move ahead after a difficult period in the relationship, in a meeting with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi. Going into the meeting with Wang, their first on Indian soil in over three years, he also said the basis for any positive momentum in ties remains the ability to jointly maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas.”It is also essential that the de-escalation process move forward,” he said, underscoring India’s position on the border issue as PM Narendra Modi prepares to visit China next week amid strong signs of a rapprochement in the relationship.Jaishankar touched upon India’s concerns about Chinese trade restrictions, cross-border terrorism and underlined the imperative in the current circumstances of maintaining and enhancing stability in the global economy, alluding in his opening remarks to worldwide unrest over continued conflicts and the US tariff rollout.Wang spoke against “unilateral bullying” and the threat to free trade and international order. A Chinese readout also quoted Jaishankar as saying Taiwan is a part of China, signalling India’s continued support for One-China policy, although India has stopped articulating it in bilateral documents. “When the world’s two largest nations meet, it is natural that the international situation will be discussed. We seek a fair, balanced and multi-polar world order, including a multi-polar Asia,” said Jaishankar, expressing hope that the talks would contribute to building a stable, cooperative and forward-looking relationship and one that served both countries’ interests and concerns.”The fight against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations is another major priority,” he told Wang.Wang, who spoke about the need to maintain the momentum in the relationship, will hold the 24th round of Special Representatives’ talks on the boundary question with NSA Ajit Doval on Tuesday. He will also call on Modi. Jaishankar stressed India’s position that both sides should be guided by the three mutuals – mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest. “Differences must not become disputes, nor competition conflict,” he told Wang, echoing Modi’s statements earlier.According to the Chinese statement on the meeting, Wang stressed that China is willing to uphold the principles of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness, and a shared future, and work with neighbouring countries, including India, to jointly build a “five-home” of peace, tranquility, prosperity, beauty and friendship. “China and India should strengthen their confidence, meet each other halfway, eliminate interference, expand cooperation, and consolidate the momentum of improvement in China-India relations,” it said.