India’s EAM Jaishankar Emphasizes Border Peace with China at SCO Summit

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In a significant diplomatic move, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the SCO Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan. This meeting marks their first interaction since India’s parliamentary polls, highlighting the importance of mutual respect in resolving boundary issues. The ministers agreed on the crucial need to respect the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas, essential for bilateral relations.

During the hour-long meeting, both leaders acknowledged that the current border situation was not sustainable for either side. Jaishankar stressed the urgency of complete disengagement in Eastern Ladakh and restoring border peace to normalize relations. The ongoing military border standoff, unresolved since April 2020, has been a point of contention, particularly at the Demchok and Depsang sectors.

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted the importance of finding the ‘correct way’ and promoting positive exchanges to address the border situation. India has stood firm on linking border resolution with normalized relations, a stance reiterated by PM Modi’s absence at the SCO Summit to avoid confrontation with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Furthermore, Jaishankar read out Modi’s speech at the SCO Council, emphasizing sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the fight against terrorism as key principles. The support for China’s SCO presidency in 2025 was extended, indicating a willingness to engage at the multilateral level despite bilateral challenges.

The consistent engagement between the Indian and Chinese Ministers, underscored by multiple meetings over the past year, reflects a commitment to finding common ground on border issues. Both sides have underscored the importance of diplomatic and military channels to resolve remaining border challenges, indicating a pathway towards stability and security in the region.