External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, and noted that the implementation of the October 21 agreement between both nations on disengagement at the LAC has proceeded as planned.
In his statement during the meeting with Wang, EAM said that during the BRICS Summit in Kazan last month, the leaders of both countries In Kazan, had “reached a consensus on taking next steps on our relationship, bearing in mind the understanding of 21 October”.
“I am glad to note that on the ground, the implementation of that understanding has proceeded as planned.”
He said their leaders – PM Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, had directed that the foreign ministers and special representatives on the boundary question should meet at an early date.
”Some progress, some discussions have happened in that direction.
“Today, I am looking forward to discussing with you the next steps as envisaged by our leaders,” EAM said.
Earlier, he said it was good to meet the Chinese FM on the sidelines of the G20, and noted that the two had met on the sidelines of the BRICS.
“And our contribution to both platforms was notable in shaping the eventual outcomes.
“But it was a reminder to us of the importance of our two countries in international politics.
“It was also Excellency an equally significant testimony of why our bilateral relations are so important,” he added.
In a post on X, EAM said of the meeting:
“On the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio, met CPC Politburo member and FM Wang Yi of China.
“We noted the progress in the recent disengagement in the India-China border areas. And exchanged views on the next steps in our bilateral ties.
“Also discussed the global situation.”
Indian and Chinese troops completed the disengagement exercise in Demchok and Depsang in eastern Ladakh along the LAC last month after the two sides reached an agreement to resolve the border row.
The two sides also resumed patrolling activities after a gap of almost four-and-a-half years.
At a recent talk, EAM Jaishankar said that the LAC disengagement agreement with China could lead to some improvement in bilateral ties, but not a reset as “the current situation does not necessarily warrant it at this time”.
Asked whether he saw the disagreement agreement as ”a tactical thaw in ties, or the beginning of a strategic reset in ties”, the EAM said he sees “the disengagement as only disengagement nothing more, nothing less”.
He said the two sides have to go in for de-escalation.
“If you look at our current situation with China, we have an issue where our troops are uncomfortably close along the Line of Actual Control, that requires us to disengage.
“And this last understanding of October 21 is the last one of the disengagement agreements, so that with its implementation the disengagement part of the problem is addressed.
“After this there is the de-escalation, which means the massing of troops along the LAC and all the associated developments along with that. Linked with that are the other aspects of the relationship; so at this moment, frankly we are focused on the disengagement.
“Where will the disengagement lead us? It could lead to… it’s a reasonable supposition that there will be some improvement in the ties, but the current situation necessarily doesn’t warrant that at this time,” the EAM said.
On the overall India-China ties, Jaishankar had said it is a “complicated” relationship.
