EAM Jaishankar urges Chinese counterpart to advance de-escalation along LAC

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday that India and China must adopt a “candid and constructive” approach to move forward after a difficult phase in bilateral ties. He stressed that the process of de-escalation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh must progress, with relations guided by “mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest.”

Jaishankar’s remarks came during talks in New Delhi shortly after Wang arrived for a two-day visit, reported PTI. The meeting preceded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled trip to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. The two leaders discussed border management, economic and trade cooperation, river data sharing, connectivity, pilgrimages and people-to-people exchanges. Jaishankar also raised “particular concerns” he had highlighted during his visit to Beijing.

The external affairs minister underscored the need to fight terrorism “in all its forms,” while also calling for a multipolar Asia and reformed multilateralism to ensure global stability. Following the meeting, he described the talks as “productive,” expressing confidence they would help build a “stable, cooperative and forward-looking relationship” between the two countries.

Wang’s visit is also centred on a fresh round of Special Representatives’ (SR) talks with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval on the boundary question. Jaishankar emphasised that maintaining peace along the border is essential for any positive momentum in ties. 

Though India and China disengaged troops from several friction points, around 50,000–60,000 soldiers remain stationed on each side of the LAC in eastern Ladakh. The standoff began in May 2020 and peaked with the Galwan Valley clashes, which severely strained relations. The disengagement process was largely completed by October 2021.

Recent steps to repair ties include resuming the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and restarting the issuance of tourist visas to Chinese nationals.