External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar recently held a pivotal meeting with the new Chinese ambassador Xu Feihong in New Delhi, emphasizing the need for stabilizing and making progress in India-China relations. This meeting, the first between Jaishankar and Xu, comes at a critical juncture amidst the ongoing military standoff on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) that has persisted for several years. Jaishankar reiterated the importance of ensuring peace and tranquillity on the border to normalize the overall relationship with China, especially as tensions have reached a historic low due to the Ladakh standoff.
Both Jaishankar and Xu exchanged their views on bilateral relations and expressed a shared interest in stabilizing and progressing the relationship. While Jaishankar highlighted the significance of addressing the border issue for overall normalization, Xu emphasized the need to move forward in trade and investment areas while putting the border issue in its ‘appropriate place’. The meeting did not specifically reference the LAC standoff but focused on working towards enhancing China-India relations in a positive direction.
Xu, who has been vocal about improving ties with India since his arrival in New Delhi, expressed his willingness to collaborate with the Indian side to advance the development of bilateral relations. Despite numerous rounds of discussions, India and China have been unable to resolve various contentious issues on the LAC, with troops stationed in the Ladakh sector. Jaishankar also met with ambassadors from Kuwait and Sri Lanka to discuss bilateral relations, the Indian community’s interests, and recent developments.
The meeting between Jaishankar and Xu underscores the importance of diplomatic engagements in addressing complex issues and fostering mutual cooperation between India and China. As both countries navigate through challenging times, such dialogues play a crucial role in building trust and finding common ground for the betterment of bilateral relations.
