India and China on Thursday discussed border disputes between the two countries and the regional and global issues.
The Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on the sidelines of ASEAN-related Foreign Ministers’ Meetings in Vientiane, Lao PDR today.
Both the leaders discussed ways to stabilize and rebuild bilateral relations through finding an early resolution of the remaining differences along the Line of Actual Control between the two Asian giants. They also reviewed the situation at the border since they met last at Astana on 4 July.
“Both ministers agreed on the need to work with purpose and urgency to achieve complete disengagement at the earliest. Peace and tranquility on the borders and respect for Line of Actual Control are essential for normalcy in bilateral relations,” the statement said.
They also agreed the need to fully abide by relevant bilateral agreements, protocols, and understandings between the two
countries.
Jaishankar underlined the importance of mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual sensitivity to restore bilateral ties fully.
They agreed to hold the Working Mechanism on Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs meeting in the earliest to take the discussions forward.
India and China are engaged in long standing territorial disputes over vast areas spanning across Indian states of Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh. Bloody clashes often erupt between the border forces of both countries claiming violation of borders.
Source: Kuwait News Agency