New Delhi: Resumption of direct flights, the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra, media exchanges and data-sharing on trans-border rivers were all discussed as the next steps in India-China ties during the meeting between external affairs minister S. Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on the margins of the G20 summit in Brazil Monday.
The meeting between the two foreign ministers is the first since the disengagement process began at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) late October. In his remarks, Jaishankar noted the “importance” of India and China’s relations and their role in international politics.
The Indian EAM, during the meeting, said, “It was also Excellency (Wang) an equally significant testimony of why our bilateral relations are so important. In Kazan, our leaders reached a consensus on taking next steps on our relationship, bearing in mind the understanding of 21 October.”
In remarks published by the Ministry of External Affairs, Jaishankar added that he was “glad to note that on the ground, the implementation of that understanding has proceeded as planned”. He also posted on X noting the progress in the process of disengagement at the LAC.
On the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio, met CPC Politburo member and FM Wang Yi of China.
We noted the progress in the recent disengagement in the India-China border areas. And exchanged views on the next steps in our bilateral ties.
Also discussed the global situation. pic.twitter.com/fZDwHlkDQt
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) November 19, 2024
The minister is part of the Indian delegation accompanying Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Rio de Janeiro for the G20 summit, following which the delegation will head to Guyana for three days from 19 to 21 November.
The Indian readout of the meeting published by the Ministry of External Affairs added that the two foreign ministers also agreed to hold meetings of the special representatives and of the foreign secretary-vice minister mechanism soon.
National Security Adviser Ajit Doval is India’s special representative on the Boundary Question, while Wang is the Chinese special representative. The two last met on the margins of the BRICS National Security Advisers’ meet held at St Petersburg, Russia in September.
The Chinese readout of the meeting highlighted that Wang pushed for restarting direct air services, along with facilitating greater exchange among journalists and more visas.
“We should strive to make practical progress in resuming direct flights, sending journalists to each other, and facilitating visas as soon as possible. Next year is the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and India. The two sides should plan commemorative activities, encourage exchanges and visits in all fields and at all levels, and enhance understanding and mutual trust,” said the readout.
China’s readout made no mention of the resumption of the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra and the data-sharing of trans-border rivers, which were mentioned in the Indian readout of the meeting.
India had stopped direct commercial flight services between the two countries since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. What began as a pandemic measure has continued for almost five years as a result of the border clashes in Ladakh.
The number of visas issued to Chinese nationals has also decreased drastically in the past four years, a matter the Chinese embassy has raised on social media since the start of summer.
Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping had their first bilateral meeting in five years on the margins of the BRICS Leaders’ Summit in Kazan, Russia last month.
It was made possible by the agreement struck between the two countries on 21 October for the disengagement at the LAC. Ties between the two countries remained tense following the clashes at Galwan in the summer of 2020.
Earlier this month, the Indian Army carried out its first patrol at the Depsang Plains after the two sides agreed to pull back troops to pre-2020 positions along with dismantling their check posts and defensive structures built during the border chill.
As part of the agreement, patrolling at the border has been limited to twice a month with active cooperation from all parties.
(Edited Tikli Basu)