India and China should work towards early resolution of the remaining issues along the LAC in eastern Ladakh, said EAM Jaishankar

The External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday met State Councillor and Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi in Dushanbe, Tajikistan on the sidelines of the 21st SCO Meeting of the Heads of State.

The two Ministers exchanged views on global developments and the current situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.

EAM Jaishankar noted that since their last meeting on July 14 the two sides had made some progress in the resolution of the remaining issues along the LAC in eastern Ladakh and had completed the disengagement in the Gogra area.

However, there were still some outstanding issues that needed to be resolved, he stated.

In this context Jaishankar recalled that Foreign Minister Wang Yi had in their last meeting noted that the bilateral relations were at low ebb.

Then, both sides had agreed that a prolongation of the existing situation was not in the interest of either side as it was impacting the relationship in a negative manner.

The EAM therefore, emphasized that the two sides should work towards early resolution of the remaining issues along the LAC in eastern Ladakh while fully abiding by bilateral agreements and protocols.

He underlined that it was necessary to ensure progress in resolution of remaining issues so as to restore peace and tranquility along the LAC in eastern Ladakh.

The EAM further noted that peace and tranquility in the border areas has been an essential basis for progress in the bilateral relations.

In this regard, the two Ministers agreed that military and diplomatic officials of the two sides should meet again and continue their discussions to resolve the remaining issues at the earliest.

The two Ministers also exchanged views on the recent global developments.

The EAM conveyed that India had never subscribed to any clash of civilisations theory.

He said that India and China had to deal with each other on merits and establish a relationship based on mutual respect.

For this, it was necessary that China avoid viewing our bilateral relations from the perspective of its relations with third countries.

Asian solidarity would depend on the example set by India-China relations.

The two Ministers agreed to remain in touch.