Jaishankar with Chinesecounterpart Wang Yi NEW DELHI: External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday said India-China ties have been steadily improving since Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping met in Russia’s Kazan in October 2024. He also stressed that peace and tranquility along the border remain the “pre-requisite” for normal bilateral relations.Speaking to Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi in Manila on the sidelines of the Asean foreign ministers’ meeting, Jaishankar also raised India’s concerns over market access, trade imbalance and the predictability of supply chains as New Delhi and Beijing continue efforts to normalise ties after the prolonged eastern Ladakh military standoff, PTI reported.”Since the meeting of our leaders in Kazan in October 2024, relations between India and China have been gradually normalising. This direction was further affirmed when they met in Tianjin last August,” Jaishankar said.He said India believes that a stable relationship between the two neighbours must be based on “mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual sensitivity.””We believe that a stable and cooperative relationship can best be developed on the basis of mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual sensitivity. Such a relationship can make a valuable contribution to a multi-polar Asia and a multi-polar world,” he added.Underscoring the importance of stability along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), Jaishankar said normal ties cannot progress without peace in the border areas.”Peace and tranquility in the border areas is obviously the pre-requisite for normal ties. Since October 2024, both sides have engaged to ensure that important objective,” he said.”This will continue to need our constant attention. Relevant mechanisms in this domain must be given full support and strong encouragement,” he added.Jaishankar also reiterated that differences between the two countries should not be allowed to turn into disputes.”It is natural that as two large and important nations, and that too proximate neighbours, India and China would have their own particular interests. That is why our leaders had agreed that differences should not become disputes. It is the responsibility of diplomacy to properly manage them,” he said.The external affairs minister said India expects progress on long-pending economic issues, including fair market access and trade.”Fair market access and a trade balance ranks high in that regard. There are also concerns about predictability of supply chains. Facilitating both official and people-to-people exchanges merit our attention,” Jaishankar said.”We also need to agree on the meetings of various mechanisms and platforms as per our mutual priorities,” he added.Jaishankar welcomed the confidence-building measures taken over the past several months, including the resumption of direct flights, the easing of visa rules, the restart of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra and the reopening of border trade.He also thanked China for supporting India’s initiatives during its Brics chairmanship. “India is the chair of the Brics this year. Let me take the opportunity to appreciate the support that China has given to various Brics activities and initiatives during our chairship,” he said.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPunjab Pharmacist Recruitment Exam Cheating Racket Sparks Debate Over AAP’s Stand On IrregularitiesCensus 2027: Govt Explores Self-Declaration And Predefined List For Caste EnumerationIndia Hosts First Operation Southern Readiness In Kochi, 26 Nations Participate In Exercise‘Come To Wish Kharge’: How Congress Surprised Own MPs Turning Birthday Meet Into PM House ProtestDharmendra Pradhan Breaks Silence On NEET Paper Leak Row, Accuses Rahul Gandhi’This Is Not Done’: Jitendra Singh Claims Rahul Gandhi ‘Changed His Demands’, Hails PM ModiCJP Removes Vijeta Dahiya As Spokesperson After He Defends Leaving Protest To Eat BurgerRahul Gandhi Leads Congress Protest At PM Modi’s Doorstep, Demands Pradhan’s ResignationMamata Banerjee Shuts Door On TMC Rebels, Pushes Opposition Unity Against BJPRahul Gandhi Demands PM Modi’s Apology Over CJP Protest Crackdown, Calls Action ‘Un-Indian’123PhotostoriesDIY kalonji oil for hair growth: How to make black seed oil at home the right wayDhaka Muslin: The forgotten Indian textile that once cost more than gold”It’s a recipe I got…”: What is Katrina Kaif’s ‘Krazy Konkoktion,’ and is it really healthy?The world’s deadliest creatures aren’t always the biggest: 10 tiny Amazon animals you should never underestimate“Debt isn’t entirely bad, but…”: The 5 money lessons a financial literacy educator wants every teenager to learnRosie O’Donnell weight loss journey: Here’s how the comedian lost 60 lb and transformed her healthMrBeast finds MrsBeast: Jimmy Donaldson weds Thea Booysen, shares wedding picturesYour brain starts ageing long before memory loss begins: Neurologist explains the daily habits that can protect it as you grow olderWhy are chef hats pleated? The truth about the famous egg connectionZodiac Signs That Can Manifest Anything They Desire123Hot PicksSaudi crude oilDelhi metroCJP ProtestBCI enrollment feesNEET ProtestRahul GandhiCrude oil priceDharmendra PradhanRRB JE RecruitmentTop TrendingThane MurderSandad Chalo MarchJantar Mantar ProtestCJP ProtestAbhijeet DipkeUttarakhand High CourtJohn AbrahamDiljit DosanjhTripura DGP DeathIND U19 vs Sri Lanka U19
NEW DELHI: External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday said India-China ties have been steadily improving since Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping met in Russia’s Kazan in October 2024. He also stressed that peace and tranquility along the border remain the “pre-requisite” for normal bilateral relations.Speaking to Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi in Manila on the sidelines of the Asean foreign ministers’ meeting, Jaishankar also raised India’s concerns over market access, trade imbalance and the predictability of supply chains as New Delhi and Beijing continue efforts to normalise ties after the prolonged eastern Ladakh military standoff, PTI reported.“Since the meeting of our leaders in Kazan in October 2024, relations between India and China have been gradually normalising. This direction was further affirmed when they met in Tianjin last August,” Jaishankar said.He said India believes that a stable relationship between the two neighbours must be based on “mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual sensitivity.”“We believe that a stable and cooperative relationship can best be developed on the basis of mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual sensitivity. Such a relationship can make a valuable contribution to a multi-polar Asia and a multi-polar world,” he added.Underscoring the importance of stability along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), Jaishankar said normal ties cannot progress without peace in the border areas.“Peace and tranquility in the border areas is obviously the pre-requisite for normal ties. Since October 2024, both sides have engaged to ensure that important objective,” he said.“This will continue to need our constant attention. Relevant mechanisms in this domain must be given full support and strong encouragement,” he added.Jaishankar also reiterated that differences between the two countries should not be allowed to turn into disputes.“It is natural that as two large and important nations, and that too proximate neighbours, India and China would have their own particular interests. That is why our leaders had agreed that differences should not become disputes. It is the responsibility of diplomacy to properly manage them,” he said.The external affairs minister said India expects progress on long-pending economic issues, including fair market access and trade.“Fair market access and a trade balance ranks high in that regard. There are also concerns about predictability of supply chains. Facilitating both official and people-to-people exchanges merit our attention,” Jaishankar said.“We also need to agree on the meetings of various mechanisms and platforms as per our mutual priorities,” he added.Jaishankar welcomed the confidence-building measures taken over the past several months, including the resumption of direct flights, the easing of visa rules, the restart of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra and the reopening of border trade.He also thanked China for supporting India’s initiatives during its Brics chairmanship. “India is the chair of the Brics this year. Let me take the opportunity to appreciate the support that China has given to various Brics activities and initiatives during our chairship,” he said.
