Jaishankar presses for early resolution of outstanding issues in talks with Wang

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday conveyed to his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi the need for an early resolution of all outstanding issues along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh and asserted that bilateral ties should be based on mutual respect mutual sensitivity and mutual interestAt a onehour meeting in Bali on the sidelines of a conclave of foreign ministers of the G20 nations Jaishankar and Wang looked forward to the next round of military talks between the two sides at an early date to resolve the border issueJaishankar also discussed with Wang the vexed issue of the return of Indian students to China and the resumption of direct flights between the two countriesOn the discussions on the border row the Ministry of External Affairs MEA said Jaishankar reaffirmed the importance of fully abiding by bilateral agreements and protocols and the understandings reached between him and Wang in their previous conversationsThe External Affairs Minister EAM called for an early resolution of all the outstanding issues along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh the MEA said in a statementRecalling the disengagement achieved in some friction areas Jaishankar reiterated the need to sustain the momentum to complete disengagement from all the remaining areas to restore peace and tranquillity in border areasHe reaffirmed the importance of fully abiding by bilateral agreements and protocols and the understandings reached between the two ministers during their previous conversations the MEA saidIn this regard both ministers affirmed that the military and diplomatic officials of the two sides should continue maintaining regular contact and looked forward to the next round of senior commanders meeting at an early date it saidJaishankar also reiterated that the IndiaChina relationship is best served by observing the three mutuals mutual respect mutual sensitivity and mutual interestsThe MEA said Jaishankar also recalled his meeting with Wang in Delhi in March and reviewed the progress of some key issues discussed then including the return of studentsThe EAM stressed the need for expediting the process and facilitating the return of students on an early date the MEA saidBegan my day in Bali by meeting FM Wang Yi of China Discussion lasted one hour Focused on specific outstanding issues in our bilateral relationship pertaining to the border situation Also spoke about other matters including students and flights Jaishankar tweetedThousands of Indian students were unable to return to China for over two years due to Beijings COVID19 restrictions India has been taking up the issue with China several timesThere have been discussions between the two sides on the resumption of direct flights but there has been no forward movement on the issue The flight services were suspended due to the pandemicThe two ministers also exchanged perspectives on other regional and global developments Foreign Minister Wang Yi appreciated Indias support during Chinas BRICS Chairship this year and assured Chinas support for Indias upcoming G20 and SCO Presidency They agreed to remain in touch the MEA saidThe BRICS is a grouping comprising Brazil Russia India China and South Africa summit China hosted a virtual summit of the grouping last monthThe Shanghai Cooperation Organisation SCO is an influential economic and security bloc that has emerged as one of the largest transregional international organisationsIt was the first meeting between the two foreign ministers since Wang visited India on March 24 and 25In May India and China held diplomatic talks on the border row and agreed to hold the next round of the Senior Commanders meeting at an early date to achieve complete disengagement from all friction points in eastern LadakhHowever both sides are yet to decide on the military talksThe border standoff between the Indian and Chinese militaries erupted on May 5 2020 following a violent clash in the Pangong lake areaThe faceoff escalated after the Galwan Valley clashes on June 15 2020Both sides gradually enhanced their deployment by rushing in tens of thousands of soldiers as well as heavy weaponryAs a result of a series of military and diplomatic talks the two sides completed the disengagement process last year in the north and south banks of the Pangong lake and in the Gogra areaEach side currently has around 50000 to 60000 troops along the LAC in the sensitive sectorThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever