EAM seeks de-escalation, fair trade with China, hails progress in relationship
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
In a meeting with his counterpart Wang Yi, Jaishankar acknowledged "good progress" in efforts to normalise the relationship saying it's a result of the resolution of friction along the border and both sides' ability to maintain peace and tranquillity.
"This is the fundamental basis for mutual strategic trust and for smooth development of bilateral relations. It is now incumbent on us to address other aspects related to the border, including de-escalation," said the minister.
The Indian side said both countries agreed to take "practical steps", including travel to each other's country and direct flight connectivity, for facilitating people-to-people exchanges.
India and China had resolved the almost five-year-old military standoff in eastern Ladakh last October.
Need to avoid restrictive trade measures: EAM
India and China had resolved the almost five-year-old military standoff in eastern Ladakh last Oct, leading to a bilateral meeting between PM Modi and President Xi Jinping on the margins of the Brics summit in Kazan.
Jaishankar is in China for the SCO foreign ministers' meeting and Modi himself is expected to visit the country for the summit of the Eurasian bloc in September.
Taking note of the positive direction in ties since the Modi-Xi meeting, Jaishankar sought a "far-seeing approach" to the relationship, saying it is the responsibility of both sides to maintain that momentum.
In his meeting with Wang, Jaishankar also gave vent to India's concerns about China's export controls that may adversely affect domestic manufacturing here.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
He said that as neighbouring nations and major economies in the world today, there are various facets and dimensions of their bilateral ties. "Measures towards normalising our people-to-people exchanges can certainly foster mutually beneficial cooperation.
It is also essential in this context that restrictive trade measures and roadblocks are avoided," he said in his opening remarks, expressing hope that he and Wang would continue their "strategic communication" not just on the margins of multilateral events but each other's countries.
Ahead of the SCO meeting on Tuesday, Jaishankar touched upon the issue of terrorism too as he reminded Wang that the primary mandate of the grouping is to combat terrorism, separatism and extremism. "This is a shared concern and India hopes that zero tolerance for terrorism will be strongly upheld," he said, while backing China's SCO presidency and efforts to ensure good outcomes.
In the meeting, Jaishankar also underlined the need for cooperation on trans-border rivers, including resumption of provision of hydrological data by the Chinese side.
The minister also told Wang that stable and constructive ties between India and China are not only to their benefit, but that of the world as well. "This is best done by handling relations on the basis of mutual respect, interest and sensitivity," he said, recalling the agreement earlier that differences should not become disputes, or competition turn into conflict. He said that on this foundation, both sides can continue to develop ties along a positive trajectory.
He also thanked China for allowing the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra to resume after a gap of five years.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
7 minutes ago
- Mint
Rahul Gandhi gets bail in controversial defamation case over remarks on Indian Army
A Lucknow court on Tuesday granted bail to Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha and Congress Member of Parliament Rahul Gandhi after he appeared in a defamation case filed over his purported remarks on Army personnel, his lawyer said. The case relates to alleged defamatory remarks against Indian soldiers made during his Bharat Jodo Yatra in 2022, his counsel, advocate Pranshu Agarwal, told news agency PTI. Following his appearance, the Additional CJM Alok Verma-led MP-MLA Court granted Gandhi relief on furnishing two bonds of ₹ 20,000 each. The bail was effected after Gandhi furnished a bail bond and sureties as directed by the court. Gandhi was summoned as an accused after the court took cognisance of the defamation complaint. The Congress leader had moved the high court but failed to get relief. Gandhi appeared in a courtroom full of lawyers. He was taken to the judge's chamber, where the formalities of filing bond and sureties took place. Congress party's state unit president Ajay Rai and in-charge Avinash Pande also accompanied Gandhi. "He (Gandhi) is scheduled to attend the court hearing and would return to Delhi later in the day. He is likely to come to Uttar Pradesh again to visit his constituency Raebareli over the next few days," Rai told PTI before the hearing. Security was beefed up along the route of his travel and in and around the court premises. The defamation complaint was filed by one Uday Shankar Srivastava, a retired director of the Border Roads Organisation (equivalent to the rank of colonel in the Army). The complaint alleged that on December 16, 2022, Gandhi, while addressing various media personnel and the public during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, mentioned the clash between the Indian Army and the Chinese Army on the border of Arunachal Pradesh on December 9 (2022) and said that "people will ask what all about Bharat Jodo Yatra, but will not ask even once about the beating of our soldiers by Chinese soldiers". The complainant alleged his sentiments were hurt by Gandhi's statement about the alleged beating of Indian soldiers by the Chinese soldiers. On February 11, the special court ordered Gandhi to be summoned on charges of defamation.
Time of India
14 minutes ago
- Time of India
'Welcome Back': Adityanath, Akhilesh hail Shukla's return after historic space mission
. Political leaders in Uttar Pradesh congratulated Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla on Tuesday on his successful return to Earth after completing the Axiom-4 mission, calling it a moment of pride for the country and an inspiration for youngsters. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath led the tributes, calling Shukla's achievement "a glorious symbol of courage, dedication and commitment to science". "Welcome back to Earth! Heartfelt congratulations to Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and his team on the successful completion of the historic #AxiomMission4," Adityanath said in a post on X. "Every Indian, especially the people of Uttar Pradesh, is proud today. India awaits your return with great excitement," he added. Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav expressed happiness over Shukla's safe return from space and congratulated his parents, family and countrymen. "This mission will prove to be a milestone in the field of Indian space science . All Indians are proud of Shubhanshu Shukla," Yadav said. He added that after Shukla left for the space station, he had met his family members at Lucknow's Triveni Nagar. "This historic achievement is a matter of pride for the family and the countrymen," Yadav said in a statement shared by his party. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Compare Spreads: Bitcoin vs Ethereum CFDs IC Markets Learn More Undo Uttar Pradesh BJP chief Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary described Shukla's feat as a matter of "motivation for all people of the country". The state unit of the Congress also took to social media, saying Shukla's achievement has made all Indians proud and their heads are held high. Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya described Shukla's return as "Shubhanshu's auspicious homecoming". "Having touched the heights of space, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has brought immense pride to both the state and the country. His achievement will inspire millions of youngsters and give wings to their dreams," Maurya said in a post in Hindi on X. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president Mayawati also extended her congratulations, saying, "The news of India's Shubhanshu Shukla returning safely after conducting several studies in space is not only encouraging for youth but also uplifting for the entire nation. Heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to Shukla, originally from Lucknow, his family, and all space scientists and institutions behind this success. Such experiences will certainly benefit crores of people in the country." Shukla and three other astronauts aboard the Dragon "Grace" capsule made a safe splashdown off the coast of San Diego in California on Tuesday, concluding a 22.5-hour return journey from the International Space Station (ISS). Launched on June 25 aboard SpaceX's Falcon-9 rocket, the crew had docked with the ISS on June 26. Over an 18-day stay in orbit, Shukla completed more than 310 orbits and covered approximately 13 million kilometres. He conducted seven microgravity experiments assigned by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), ranging from muscle regeneration and radiation effects to studies on algae, crop resilience and human physiology -- vital research for India's upcoming Gaganyaan human-spaceflight mission. A native of Lucknow, Shukla's success has stirred a wave of pride across India, especially in Uttar Pradesh and its capital, with his family, friends and commoners hailing the mission as a landmark moment in the country's space programme.
Time of India
14 minutes ago
- Time of India
The changing perception of India
Saroj served in the Indian Army as a technical officer for 23 years and opted for premature retirement in 1991. Operational service includes 1971 India-Pakistan war in high altitude sector and two years in counterinsurgency operations in northeast. LESS ... MORE Post Operation Sindoor, there is a perceptible change in how the world sees India. There is a newfound confidence that the world has been forced to take note of. To its credit, India is not shouting from tree tops about what it did or can do. Yet, a lot in the world, including thinkers, military experts, historians and media stalwarts, are all jostling for space in media to talk about India and not surprisingly, it is mostly laudatory. What has changed in the country that was always in the news for the wrong reasons for decades? In a matter of days, the narrative on India has shifted from being critical about almost everything Indian to finding many reasons to praise it. India's military capabilities, overall approach to national security, international standing, a full U-turn to paint India as a strong and decisive nation, and broader geopolitical and regional security implications are all part of this new discourse on India. Indian military's precision, professionalism, and the doctrine of SEAD (Suppression of Enemy's Air Defences) have come in for a special mention with awe and admiration from various quarters. The role of locally manufactured military hardware and its effectiveness has made most nations to sit up and take note. In the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, India's aggressive diplomatic manoeuvring internationally against terror has been unprecedented. India has been very successful in balancing relations with global powers like USA, Russia, China and other nations, including Islamic nations, on its own terms. Discussions abound on India's growing importance as a global economic driver and innovator, with increasing international engagement and investment. The role of India as a potential counterweight not only to China but also to the USA in the evolving global order and trade interests many. The country seems to have found a unique national interest-based 'Indian Way' to achieve all this. The days of a meek and indecisive India that was always on the lookout for affirmation from others, particularly the western world, are over. The days of taking the less confrontational path are passe. Today, India is decisive without being loud or hypocritical in any manner. Its international relations are guided by participation and mutuality, in the rich traditions of its heritage, without being overbearing or patriarchal. Yet, the message is very clear that it will not tolerate any evil designs on its soil or its people by terrorists or those who support terror and violence. Some of the key happenings and events in the recent past that support India's transformation are: Operation Sindoor May 2025: Operation Sindoor is not only a new chapter in India's doctrine to fight terror but also in the conduct of military operations. The doctrine has made it clear that any act of terror on Indian soil will be viewed as an act of war. The response will be decisive, calibrated and aimed at annihilation of selected targets with a disproportionate response. The operation showed hitherto unseen capabilities of Indian military in terms of use and adoption of technology, the capabilities of indigenously produced military hardware that match or exceed the best in the world, apart from professional skills in coordination and execution of complex military operations. Importantly, India has successfully called out Pakistan's oft-repeated nuclear threat bogey. SCO Meeting 2025: India refused to sign the joint document after the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting in Shanghai. The joint document, drafted by China, failed to address concerns about terrorism. It mentioned the Balochistan train hijacking incident but did not include the Pahalgam terrorist attack at the behest of Pakistan. In the end, there was no joint statement. QUAD Meeting 2025: India was very emphatic on its stand on terror and the fight against terror. This was obvious in the joint statement which read as follows: 'The Quad unequivocally condemns all acts of terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism, and renews our commitment to counterterrorism cooperation. We condemn in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, 2025, which claimed the lives of 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, while injuring several others.' BRICS Meeting 2025: The impact of India on the outcomes of this meeting in Rio de Janeiro, in tandem with Brazil, was more than evident in the final declaration released. The stress on the need for developing nations to take a lead in strengthening Global South Cooperation for a more inclusive and sustainable governance in the future was a key takeaway. This was aimed at countering the pressures and influence that the developed world tends to bring to the table on important subjects like climate change, inclusive development, international trade and financing, socio-economic development, international peace and security, among other issues. Tarriff war with USA: India and the US have a complex trade relationship that is often marked by disputes and hard negotiations. India has taken a firm stance in defending its trade interests, including approaching the WTO for resolution and exercising its right to impose retaliatory tariffs. India is also encouraging rupee-based trade to reduce the added pressures and costs imposed by a dollar-denominated international trade. It has already seen some success in this regard. The US sees this as a threat to the supremacy of the dollar but India is committed to pursuing its goals. Export of Military Hardware: Operation Sindoor has showcased some very advanced and effective military hardware produced indigenously. The world, particularly nations like USA and China that arm Pakistan, were in for a rude shock to see the ease with which India neutralised their military hardware and surveillance systems and then operated with impunity in Pakistani airspace. Nations across the world are looking at India with renewed interest in such military hardware. India's growth as an exporter of military hardware with reasonable prices will certainly worry the US and other European nations, who currently have a monopoly in this sector. Today, India is not averse to exporting and is aggressively enhancing its capabilities and capacities in this sector. In the recent past, India has been more forthright and not shied away from taking a hard line on issues of national importance. India's decision to buy oil from Russia and Iran, support to Israel in the Palestinian conflict, and abstaining from voting on the UN general assembly resolution on 'Measures to Combat Islamophobia' moved by Pakistan, are some of the other instances where India's changed approach in international diplomacy was very evident. India is pursuing its candidature for a permanent seat in the UNSC vigorously, as also for instituting reforms in the UNO. The US and other western nations, who are used to seeing a staid and dithering India over the decades, have still to come to terms with the New India that is decisive and is not ready to compromise on its national interests. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
