External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday said that the visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to India offers an opportunity for both countries to review bilateral ties and exchange views on global and regional issues.
Welcoming Wang Yi and his delegation, Jaishankar noted that the relationship has gone through a difficult phase in recent years but stressed that “differences must not become disputes, nor competition conflict.” He underlined that the way forward lies in the spirit of “mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest.”
During the talks, both sides are expected to discuss a wide range of issues, including economic and trade cooperation, pilgrimages, people-to-people contacts, river data sharing, border trade, connectivity, and other bilateral exchanges.
Jaishankar reiterated that maintaining peace along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) is the foundation for any positive momentum in India-China ties. He informed that the visiting Chinese leader will also meet National Security Adviser Ajit Doval for the 24th round of border talks.
Recalling the border tensions that began in April 2020, Jaishankar said progress has been made through disengagement agreements, and recent steps have helped ease tensions along the LAC. He underlined the need for the de-escalation process to move forward.
On global affairs, the External Affairs Minister said both nations share an interest in a fair, balanced and multi-polar world order, including a multi-polar Asia. He added that reformed multilateralism, counter-terrorism cooperation, and stability of the global economy remain priorities.
The visit comes just days before the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin under China’s presidency. It is also the first visit by a Chinese Minister to India since Prime Minister Narendra Modi met President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Kazan in October 2024.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived in New Delhi on a two-day visit on Monday.
-ANI