According to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the two countries have experienced “some setbacks” in recent years that have not served the fundamental interests of the two countries. Wang called on both countries to manage border differences by consulting with one another and actively seeking a “fair and equitable” settlement to their differences.
Wang, speaking at his annual news conference on the margins of the Chinese parliament, also said that certain forces have long attempted to inflame tensions between China and India, a statement that seemed to be a reference to the United States.
“China and India have experienced certain setbacks in recent years that have been detrimental to the core interests of the two countries and the two peoples,” Wang said in answer to a question from PTI on the border dispute and ties between the two neighbouring countries.
He emphasised the need of handling boundary disputes via conversation, as well as actively pursuing a “fair and equitable” resolution to the conflict.
Wang, who is also the State Councilor, believes that China and India should be partners rather than competitors.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said last month that India’s ties with China are now in a “very difficult period” as a result of Beijing’s failure to abide by agreements not to send armed personnel near the border.
Jaishankar had said at a panel discussion at the Munich Security Conference (MSC) 2022 in Germany that India was experiencing difficulties with China over the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Initially triggered by a violent incident in the Pangong lake region, the eastern Ladakh border stalemate has seen both the Indian and Chinese forces rapidly increase their troop and heavy armament deployment, with both sides pouring in tens of thousands of troops and heavy equipment.
Following a violent fight in the Galwan Valley on June 15, 2020, the situation deteriorated further.
The disengagement procedure in Gogra, as well as the north and south banks of the Pangong Lake, was completed by the two parties last year, after a series of military and diplomatic negotiations.
A Corps Commander-level meeting was held on January 12 between India and China, during which the two countries agreed to maintain dialogue through military and diplomatic channels in order to find a “mutually acceptable resolution” to the remaining issues in relation to the standoff in eastern Ladakh.
The latest round of military-level discussions between China and India have been regarded as “good and productive,” and Beijing has said that it would cooperate closely with New Delhi to “fully address” the border problem, despite the United States’ claim that China is “intimidating” its neighbours.
