Differences must not become disputes: S Jaishankar to China's Wang

India and China discussed trade, flights and border issues as Jaishankar told Wang Yi that relations must be guided by mutual respect and sensitivity while flagging rare earth curbs

India and China on Monday discussed economic and trade issues, including resumption of border trade and direct flights, with New Delhi again flagging its concerns over Beijing’s curbs on the export of rare earth minerals.

 

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi landed in New Delhi on Monday evening for a two-day visit. He held talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

 

In his opening remarks during the discussion, Jaishankar said that “the basis for any positive momentum” in India-China ties “is the ability to jointly maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas”.

 

It is also essential that the de-escalation process move forward, he said. 

 

 

“Having seen a difficult period in our relationship,” Jaishankar told Wang, “our two nations now seek to move ahead”. This requires a candid and constructive approach from both sides, he said.

 

Jaishankar said the two countries must be guided in this endeavour by the three mutual, “mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest.” “Differences must not become disputes, nor competition conflict,” he said.

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping’s meeting on October 23, 2024, in the Russian city of Kazan, on the sidelines of the Brics Summit, paved the way for de-escalation in the border areas between the two countries after the friction in ties since the Galwan Valley clashes in June 2020.

 

Jaishankar and Wang’s discussion will also lay the groundwork for the Indian PM’s visit to the northern Chinese city of Tianjin to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit on August 31 and September 1, where he is slated to meet the Chinese President on the sidelines of the summit.

 

Wang and India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval will discuss the boundary issues under the auspices of the 24th round of the Special Representatives mechanism on Tuesday.

 

Wang will also call on Prime Minister Modi on Tuesday evening.

 

At the meeting of the two delegations on Monday, Jaishankar said they will also discuss river data sharing, people-to-people contacts, among other issues.

 

“I would like to follow up on some particular concerns that I had brought up with you when I visited China in July,” Jaishankar told Wang, alluding to India’s request that China lifts restrictions on its export of rare earth minerals.

 

The two sides discussed the international situation.

 

“We seek a fair, balanced and multi-polar world order, including a multi-polar Asia. Reformed multilateralism is also the call of the day,” Jaishankar said.

 

“In the current environment, there is clearly the imperative of maintaining and enhancing stability in the global economy as well,” he said. The fight against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations is another major priority, the EAM said.

 

Wang’s visit is the first by a Chinese minister since Modi and Xi’s Kazan meeting in October, Jaishankar noted.

 

“Overall, it is our expectation that our discussions would contribute to building a stable, cooperative and forward-looking relationship between India and China, one that serves both our interests and addresses our concerns,” he said, wishing China a successful SCO Summit that it is hosting.

 

In Beijing, China on Monday said Foreign Minister Wang’s visit to India was aimed at working with New Delhi to deliver on important understandings reached between the leaders of the two sides and decisions taken during the previous round of border talks. Wang is slated to visit Pakistan later this week.