Jaishankar Meets Chinese FM Wang in Laos, Pushes for Urgency in Resolving LAC Standoff

Jaishankar Meets Chinese FM Wang in Laos, Pushes for Urgency in Resolving LAC Standoff

Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Vientiane, Laos, on the sidelines of ASEAN meetings (July 25-27, 2024). This meeting, one of the first after Jaishankar's arrival, follows their previous discussions at the SCO summit in Kazakhstan three weeks earlier. The frequent meetings signal a concerted effort by New Delhi and Beijing to expedite the resolution of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) issue.

Key Points of Discussion:

1.       Early Resolution of LAC Issues:

o    The talks focused on finding a swift resolution to the remaining issues along the LAC to stabilize and rebuild bilateral relations. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs emphasized the "exceptional significance" of India and China as two of the most populous nations and key global economies, stressing the necessity of stable bilateral ties for the prosperity of Asia and the broader multipolar world.

2.      Bilateral and Multilateral Concerns:

o    Both Ministers highlighted areas where India and China's interests converge and decided to hold an "early meeting" of the Working Mechanism on Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC). This mechanism includes officials from the External Affairs Ministry, border, and military sectors and aims to advance discussions.

3.      Progress on Disengagement:

o    This was the fourth meeting between Jaishankar and Wang in the past 12 months, reflecting ongoing efforts for the complete disengagement of troops. While some disengagement was achieved from 2020-2022, no further breakthroughs have been made, particularly concerning the PLA's positions in the Demchok and Depsang sectors. The 29th WMCC meeting was held in Beijing in March.

4.      Respect for the LAC:

o    Jaishankar underscored the need for both sides to respect the LAC and adhere to past agreements, indicating that the agreements from the 1990s are still relevant for resolving the military standoff that began in April 2020, following PLA transgressions along the LAC, which led to deadly clashes in Galwan.

Economic Considerations:

The meeting occurred amidst speculation that the Indian government might relax some economic restrictions on Chinese companies, spurred by an Economic Survey favoring increased Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from China. Additionally, the Chinese Embassy in Delhi released a video urging India to ease economic and business ties, citing declining FDI, tourist numbers, and the lack of direct flights between the two countries.

The discussions between Jaishankar and Wang highlight the critical nature of India-China relations and the importance of resolving border issues to foster greater economic and diplomatic cooperation.

Source: The Hindu