Finance
During his meeting with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng on Monday, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stressed that ongoing normalisation of India-China relations can bring “mutually beneficial” results.
He emphasized the significance of free discussion and the sharing of ideas as critical between two large neighbors and economies.
Jaishankar, who is now in China for a three-day visit to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s (SCO) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Tianjin, met with Vice President Han in Beijing shortly after arriving.
In his opening remarks during the meeting, Jaishankar stated, “Our bilateral relationship, as you have noted, has been progressively growing since the meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi Jinping in Kazan last October. I am hopeful that my discussions during this visit will continue on that favorable track.”
To commemorate the 75th anniversary of India-China diplomatic relations, Jaishankar emphasized a significant development: the reopening of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, which had been interrupted for five years owing to the Covid-19 outbreak and subsequent border tensions.
“The resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is also widely appreciated in India. Continued normalisation of our ties can produce mutually beneficial outcomes,” he noted.
Referring to the current international environment, Jaishankar added, “The international situation, as we meet today, is very complex. As neighbouring nations and major economies, an open exchange of views and perspectives between India and China is very important.”
He said he looked forward to such discussions during his visit.
Following the meeting, Jaishankar posted on social media: “Pleased to meet Vice President Han Zheng soon after my arrival in Beijing today. Conveyed India’s support for China’s SCO Presidency.”
“Noted the improvement in our bilateral ties. And expressed confidence that discussions during my visit will maintain that positive trajectory,” he added.
This is EAM Jaishankar’s first trip to China after the fatal Galwan Valley confrontation in June 2020, which soured bilateral relations.
While he has met with his Chinese counterpart at multilateral gatherings since then, the visit is a significant step forward in high-level diplomatic contact amidst persisting border worries.
Source: IANS
