S Jaishankar and Wang Yi Discuss Border Peace at SCO Meeting in Kazakhstan

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Heads of State Council meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan. They discussed the early resolution of remaining issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh and the need to stabilize and rebuild bilateral relations.

Jaishankar emphasized the importance of respecting the LAC and ensuring peace and tranquility in the border areas. He highlighted the three mutuals – mutual respect, mutual sensitivity, and mutual interest – as guiding principles for bilateral ties.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that prolonging the current situation in the border areas is not in the interest of either side. Jaishankar stressed the need to redouble efforts to achieve complete disengagement from the remaining areas in Eastern Ladakh and restore border peace and tranquility.

Both ministers agreed to continue and enhance meetings of diplomatic and military officials to resolve the remaining issues. They also agreed that the Working Mechanism on Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) should hold an early meeting. Jaishankar reiterated that the India-China relationship is best served by observing the three mutuals.

Additionally, the two ministers exchanged views on the global situation, and Jaishankar extended India’s support to Wang Yi for China’s upcoming presidency of the SCO.