Jaishankar meets Chinese FM, underlines progress in border disengagement for better ties

Dushanbe/New Delhi, Sep 16 (UNI) External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Dushanbe and underlined that progress in disengagement in the border areas is essential for restoration of peace and tranquillity, which is the basis for development of bilateral ties.
The two sides also exchanged views on global developments during which Jaishankar “Emphasized that India does not subscribe to any clash of civilisations theory.”
China was also conveyed that it was essential that Beijing “does not view its relations with India through the lens of a third country” – in direct reference to its closeness with Pakistan and backing whatever Islamabad says and does.
In a series of tweets, the EAM said: “Met Chinese FM Wang Yi on the sidelines of SCO Summit in Dushanbe.
“Discussed disengagement in our border areas. Underlined that progress in this regard is essential for restoration of peace and tranquillity, which is the basis for development of bilateral ties.
“Also exchanged views on global developments. Emphasized that India does not subscribe to any clash of civilisations theory.
“It is also essential that China does not view its relations with India through the lens of a third country.
“As for Asian solidarity, it is for China and India to set an example,” he posted.
Earlier, at a media briefing in New Delhi, the MEA spokesperson had said: “Let me reiterate our position that completion of disengagement in the remaining areas can pave the way forward for the two sides to consider de-escalation of forces and ensure full restoration of peace and tranquillity and enable progress in bilateral relations. That remains our position and we have been stating it repeatedly.”
The spokesperson said that both sides have held 12 rounds of talks on the border, and “India is waiting for further engagement, it has not stopped”.