External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday conveyed to his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi that progress in the disengagement process in eastern Ladakh was essential for restoration of peace and tranquility, and that it is the basis for the development of overall ties.
At a meeting on the sidelines of the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Dushanbe, the two foreign ministers exchanged views on global developments. It is understood that the developments in Afghanistan figured in the talks. India has told China that their bilateral relations will only develop when both countries pull their troops back in eastern Ladakh. Jaishankar emphasised that progress in the disengagement process in eastern Ladakh was essential for the restoration of peace and tranquillity. “Met Chinese FM Wang Yi on the sidelines of SCO Summit in Dushanbe. Discussed disengagement in our border areas. Underlined that progress in this regard is essential for restoration of peace and tranquillity, which is the basis for the development of bilateral ties,” Jaishankar tweeted. Jaishankar emphasised that India does not subscribe to any “clash of civilisations theory,” and also added that it is essential that China does not view its relations with India through the lens of a third country. In a tweet, Jaishankar said that the meeting discussed the progress in regard to disengagement in the borders, which is essential for restoration of peace and tranquillity, the basis for development of bilateral ties. “As for Asian solidarity, it is for China and India to set an example,” the external affairs minister said.
