Beijing: China on Friday said the border dispute with India should not be linked to bilateral relations and Foreign Minister S Jaishankar’s suggestion of improving strained relations is commendable, suggesting that New Delhi values relations with Beijing.
“We have taken note of External Affairs Minister Jaishankar’s comments,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said in a media briefing.
He said this in response to a question asked about Jaishankar’s online address at the 13th All India Conference on Chinese Studies. Zhao said, he (Jaishankar) stressed the importance of improving India-China relations. This shows that the Indian side values relations with China, we appreciate it.
In the meantime, we emphasize that the border issue will not be linked to the entire bilateral relationship, Lijian said. We have gained this significant experience through a years-old effort to take the relationship forward. “We hope that the Indian side will work with us to resolve differences appropriately, enhance practical cooperation and bring bilateral relations back on track,” he said.
Jaishankar on Thursday outlined eight principles to bring India-China relations on track, including strict adherence to all agreements on the management of the Line of Actual Control, mutual respect, sensitivities to each other’s interests and making space for the other’s aspirations. He said that the events in Eastern Ladakh last year have severely affected the relations of the two countries.
The External Affairs Minister had clarified that the Line of Actual Control should be strictly adhered to and respected and no unilateral attempt to change the status quo is acceptable. He said that ignoring the situation on the border and expecting life to go on normally is not a reality. It is noteworthy that India and China are locked in a military standoff in eastern Ladakh since May 5 last. Both the countries have held several rounds of military and diplomatic talks to resolve the face-off in eastern Ladakh, but no significant headway has been made so far.