Redouble pullback efforts, Jaishankar tells his China counterpart

India's foreign minister S Jaishankar in a meeting with his counterpart Wang Yi called for redoubling military and diplomatic efforts to achieve complete disengagement in the remaining areas of eastern Ladakh, as India and China agreed that prolongation of the current situation in the border areas is not in the interest of either side.
Jaishankar told Wang that respecting LAC and restoring border peace and tranquility is essential for removing obstacles to normalising the Sino-Indian bilateral relationship, which PM Narendra Modi recently described as important for the entire region and the world.
Jaishankar met Wang on the margins of the SCO summit in Astana. In line with China’s position that progress in bilateral ties is not stymied by the border issue, Wang sought “positive thinking” in the form of efforts on the one hand to manage the situation in the border areas and, on the other, to “actively resume” normal exchanges on the other. This never sat well with India’s position that there can’t be normalcy till the time disengagement is fully completed in eastern Ladakh.
India and China have achieved disengagement at four points in the western sector, since the ongoing standoff erupted in May 2020, but the same has remained elusive in Depsang and Demchok areas even after 21 rounds of military and 15 rounds of diplomatic talks.
During the “in-depth” exchange of views for early resolution and rebuilding of ties, Jaishankar reaffirmed the importance of fully abiding by relevant bilateral agreements, protocols and understandings reached between the two govts in the past. India and China agreed to step up meetings to address the remaining issues. Another round of diplomatic talks is expected soon, the Indian side said in its readout.
Jaishankar reiterated India’s position that mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest will guide bilateral ties. Before Modi opted out, the SCO summit was seen as the first opportunity for both sides to consider a meeting between him and President Xi Jinping, who have not had a formal bilateral meeting since 2019. The leaders are expected to come face to face only in Oct at the Brics summit in Russia. Jaishankar also told Wang that India will support China’s upcoming presidency of SCO.