Kumar Bahukhandi
Foreign Minister Jaishankar meets Chinese President Jinping – Photo: PTI
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. This meeting took place during the SCO meeting, in which improving relations between the two countries and reducing tensions on the border were discussed. Jaishankar also met Wang Yi and raised issues like terrorism, trade, and increasing people-to-people contact. An agreement was reached to resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.
Amid the border tensions between India and China that have been going on for the past few years, a positive picture has emerged. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Foreign Ministers’ meeting. This was the first time Jaishankar spoke directly to Xi Jinping after the recent tensions on the border subsided.
Foreign Minister Jaishankar said on social media that he conveyed best wishes to Xi Jinping on behalf of President Draupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He also informed about the recent improvements in India-China bilateral relations. He wrote that the guidance of the leaders of both the countries has been very important in this regard and is helping in giving a new direction to the relations.
Important talks were also held with the Chinese Foreign Minister
Jaishankar also held bilateral talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday in the same SCO meeting. In this conversation, he told that there has been ‘good progress’ in relations between India and China in the last 9 months. Especially the tension on the border has reduced and a situation of peace has been created. He also said that now both sides need to resolve de-escalation and other pending issues.
The Foreign Minister emphasized that India and China should not turn their differences into a dispute. He said that competition should never take the form of conflict. Stable and constructive relations between India and China are beneficial not only for us but for the whole world. He told the need to handle this relationship on the basis of mutual respect, mutual interest and sensitivity.
Talks on trade and tourism also
Jaishankar also expressed concern with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi about export controls and trade restrictions. He demanded that China should refrain from taking steps that harm India’s manufacturing sector. He also talked about making travel easier, restarting direct flights and promoting cultural exchange to increase people-to-people contact.
Terrorism and Kailash Mansarovar Yatra also discussed
During the SCO meeting, Jaishankar reiterated India’s stand on the issue of terrorism. He said that the basic objective of the SCO is to fight terrorism, separatism and extremism, and all member countries should maintain a policy of ‘zero tolerance’. Apart from this, he welcomed China’s decision to restart the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, which was closed for five years.
