'Respecting LAC Essential': Jaishankar After Meeting Chinese Foreign Minister, Extends Support For China's SCO Presidency

India's External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr S Jaishankar met China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Kazakhstan's Astana on Thursday (4 July).

Jaishankar posted on X that discussions were regarding "early resolution of remaining issues in border areas", which have escalated since the Galwan clash in 2020, by redoubling efforts through "diplomatic and military channels."

Yi is also a Politburo (principal policy-making committee) member of the Communist Party of China (CPC). Jaishankar met him almost a year after their last meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia.

"Respecting the LAC (Line of Actual Control) and ensuring peace and tranquility in the border areas is essential. The three mutuals - mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest - will guide our bilateral ties," he said.

"The two Ministers had an in-depth exchange of views on finding an early resolution of the remaining issues along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh to stabilise and rebuild bilateral relations," the Ministry's press release said.

"They agreed that the Working Mechanism on Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) should hold an early meeting," it said emphasising need to step up meetings.

Jaishankar has also extended India’s support for China’s Presidency of SCO next year. This year, the SCO summit is being held under Kazakhstan's presidency, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided to skip.