Border Stability Key for Normal India-China Ties: Jaishankar Tells Chinese Counterpart Wang Yi

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar conveyed to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday that ensuring stability along frontier regions remains a "pre-requisite" for restoring standard diplomatic engagements, emphasising that bilateral relations ought to be anchored in mutual respect, interest and sensitivity.

During the talks, Jaishankar raised crucial economic concerns with his counterpart, drawing attention to market entry barriers, expanding trade deficits and unpredictable global supply networks.

Both diplomatic representatives gathered in the capital of the Philippines to participate in key ministerial discussions hosted under the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) umbrella.

Ties between the two Asian giants have witnessed progressive normalisation measures recently, following years of acute tension triggered by the long-drawn military standoff in eastern Ladakh that began four years ago.

Addressing the delegation, Jaishankar stressed that a stable and cooperative partnership requires a foundational framework governed by shared principles.

"We believe that a stable and cooperative relationship can best be developed on the basis of mutual respect, mutual interest, and mutual sensitivity," he remarked during his opening statement.

He further added, "Such a relationship can make a valuable contribution to a multi-polar Asia and a multi-polar world."

Reiterating the absolute necessity of maintaining calm along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the minister noted that border stability is non-negotiable.

"This will continue to need our constant attention. Relevant mechanisms in this domain must be given full support and strong encouragement," he highlighted.

Calling for prudent diplomatic stewardship, Jaishankar cautioned that differing views should be prevented from escalating into active confrontation.

"It is natural that as two large and important nations, and that too proximate neighbours, India and China would have their own particular interests," he stated.

"That is why our leaders had agreed that differences should not become disputes. It is the responsibility of diplomacy to properly manage them," the minister maintained.

(With inputs from ANI)