A Chinese perspective on Wang Yi-Jaishankar meeting: hours after the two leaders met on the sidelines of the Asean foreign ministers event in Vientiane, Laos on Thursday, India’s External Affairs Ministry came out with a statement indicating what transpired. Jaishankar also posted on his X account.
Both ministers, the release said, agreed on the following:
–Early resolution of remaining issues along the LAC
–Stabilize and rebuild bilateral relations
–Work with purpose and urgency to realise disengagement along the LAC
–Abide by all relevant bilateral agreements, protocols and understandings reached in the past
–Jaishankar stressed mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual sensitivity
Chinese Perspective
The Chinese foreign ministry put out a long note, which was also carried by the Chinese embassy in Delhi.
It could be described as a masterclass in obfuscating the real issues and putting the onus on India to set things right.
It attributed to the Chinese foreign minister the following: that the two countries should step up dialogue and communication, increase understanding and mutual trust, properly handle differences and mutually develop beneficial cooperation.
This is where the lecture begins: “The two sides should take a rational approach to rise above differences and frictions.”
The reference to the border dispute is oblique here. But what the Chinese want is precisely what Wang Yi and other Chinese leaders have said in the years since Galwan: that the border dispute should be put aside and India should restore business and trade links.
The last suits Beijing admirably given that they already have a huge trade surplus with India.
What China Wants
“It is hoped the two sides will work together to actively explore the right way for the two big neigbhours to get along with each other … An India China relationship back on the right track serves the interests of both countries.”
Note, so far there is no reference to any of the issues that concern India, namely the tension on the border, the need for disengagement of troops and respect for all agreements signed until now.
“India and China have broad and converging interests and face the shadow brought by the situation in the border areas. The Indian side is ready to take a historic, strategic and open perspective to find solutions to differences.”
There is no such reference in the Indian statement.
It ends with “The two sides agreed to make concerted efforts to maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas and work for new progress in consultations on border areas.”
Tranquility in the border areas can only happen when there is an agreement on disengagement of troops. That it seems the Chinese are not inclined for.
As for “new progress in consultations on border areas”, the Chinese seem to be suggesting that India reconcile with the fait accompli it has forced in terms of occupying around 500-sq km of disputed territory.
