Asian solidarity depends on example set by Indo-China relations: India to China
India has told China to avoid viewing bilateral relations from the perspective of its ties with third countries and said Asian solidarity would depend on the example set by India-China relations.
This was conveyed by Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Dushanbe, capital of Tajikistan, yesterday on the sidelines of the 21st Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, reports our New Delhi correspondent.
Jaishankar told Wang that India had never subscribed to any clash of civilisations theory and added that India and China had to deal with each other on merits and establish a relationship based on mutual respect.
"For this, it was necessary that China avoid viewing our bilateral relations from the perspective of its relations with third countries. Asian solidarity would depend on the example set by India-China relations," Indian ministry of external affairs quoted Jaishankar as saying.
The two ministers exchanged views on the current situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the tense de facto border between the two countries across the Himalayas in eastern Ladakh where the militaries of India and China have been locked in standoff for more than a year.
The Indian Foreign Minister noted that since their last meeting on July 14, the two sides had made "some progress" in the resolution of the remaining issues along the LAC in eastern Ladakh and had completed the military disengagement in Gogra area.
However, there were still some outstanding issues that needed to be resolved, the MEA statement said.
In this context, Jaishankar recalled that Foreign Minister Wang Yi in their last meeting noted that the bilateral relations were at low ebb.
Both sides had agreed that prolonging of the existing situation was not in the interest of either side as it was impacting the relationship in a negative manner.
Jaishankar, therefore, emphasised that the two sides should work towards early resolution of the remaining friction points along the LAC in eastern Ladakh while fully abiding by bilateral agreements and protocols.
He underlined that it was necessary to ensure progress in resolution of remaining issues so as to restore peace and tranquility along the LAC in eastern Ladakh noting this has been an essential basis for progress in the bilateral relations.
In this regard, the ministers agreed that military and diplomatic officials of the two sides should meet again and continue their discussions to resolve the remaining issues at the earliest.