Chinese Vice President Han Zheng stated in a meeting with India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar that India and China should promote practical cooperation and respect each other’s concerns to ensure stable development in bilateral relations, according to Xinhua. Han made these remarks in Beijing, where Jaishankar attended a regional security meeting held by the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Tianjin, China.
In his initial comments during the meeting with Vice President Han, Jaishankar praised the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between India and China and said that “continued normalization of our ties can produce mutually beneficial outcomes.” Jaishankar called for “an open exchange of views and perspectives between India and China” in an increasingly complex international situation. In a post on his social media, Jaishankar expressed India’s support for China’s leadership in SCO and noted improvements in bilateral relationships. He also expressed confidence that discussions during his visit will maintain that positive trajectory.
Beijing has positioned the 10-member SCO as a counterbalance to Western alliances and continues to promote deeper collaboration among member states in areas such as security, trade, and science. New Delhi is also a part of the “Quad” group, alongside the United States, Japan, and Australia. Despite a Himalayan border dispute, India and China have signaled a thaw in their relations. Last month, Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh called for a permanent solution to the longstanding border dispute with China during a meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Dong Jun. The ministers held in-depth discussions on maintaining peace along the India-China frontier. In response to the deadly military clashes in 2020, India officially cut passenger flights to mainland China, banned numerous Chinese apps, and limited Chinese investment in the country. The recent thaw in relations between the neighbors has led to the resumption of direct passenger flights in January after almost five years of no direct connection amidst deteriorating ties between Beijing and New Delhi, the founding members of the BRICS bloc.
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/india-china-call-for-stronger-cooperation-during-jaishankar-s-beijing-visit/a-73265940?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
