Indian foreign minister stresses on border peace in talks with China's Wang

Wang Yi meets with Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in Moscow, Russia September 10, 2020
Reuters

Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar began discussions with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in New Delhi on Monday, emphasizing that positive progress in their relationship could only occur if peace is maintained along their shared border.

Wang, who arrived in India for a two-day visit, is set to hold the 24th round of border talks with Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Jaishankar highlighted the importance of addressing border issues, stressing that peace and stability in the border regions are essential for any positive developments in bilateral ties.

Jaishankar also noted the need for both countries to withdraw troops stationed along their disputed western Himalayan border, where tensions have flared since the deadly clash in 2020. Wang's visit comes just days before Modi’s first trip to China in seven years to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, which also includes Russia.

Relations between India and China began to improve in October after a key agreement to reduce military tensions along the Himalayan border, following talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Modi in Russia. The two countries' ties had soured after the 2020 border clash, which resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers and four Chinese soldiers.

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