Wait and watch, all eyes on Jaishankar, Wang Yi meeting
New Delhi, Sep 06: New Delhi will watch for the next steps taken by Beijing amidst the tense standoff. While Beijing says that the responsibility is entirely with Delhi, India maintains that China has violated all pacts and this has led to the face-off along the Line of Actual Control.
Now all eyes would be on the meeting between Foreign Minister S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterparts, Wang Yi scheduled to be held this week.
The Indian delegation strongly objected to the fresh attempt made by China to change the status quo in the southern bank of Pangong Tso in Eastern Ladakh. The delegation insisted on the resolution through talks.
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The Indian side said that there should be restoration of status quo ante at all friction points in Eastern Ladakh.
Hours before the talks, Singh, in his address at the SCO ministerial meet, said peace and security in the region demands a climate of trust, non-aggression, peaceful resolution of differences and respect for international rules.
Singh's comments in the presence of the Chinese defence minister was seen as a veiled message to China over the border row in eastern Ladakh.
In his address, Singh referred to the Second World War and said its memories teach the globe the "follies of aggression" of one state upon another that brings "destruction" to all.
"Peaceful stable and secure region of SCO member states, which is home to over 40 per cent of the global population, demands a climate of trust and cooperation, non-aggression, respect for international rules and norms, sensitivity to each other's interest and peaceful resolution of differences," Singh said.
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Singh also said that the two sides should avoid taking measures that may escalate or complicate the situation. He also insisted that differences should not turn into disputes and bilateral military relations should be brought back on the right track as soon as possible.
China's news agency, Xinhua reported that Singh during the meeting hoped that the two sides would adopt a responsible attitude and fully disengage front line forces as soon as possible.
The report also said that Wei had said that recently the relations between the two countries and the two militaries have been seriously affected by the border issue and that was important for the two defence ministers to have a face to face and candid exchange of views on relevant issues. The news report also said that the cause and truth of current tension on the China-India border are very clear and the responsibility lies with the Indian side. Not an inch of China's territory should be lost. The Chinese military has the resolve, capability and confidence to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, Wei also said.
He further said that both sides should earnestly implement the important consensus reached by President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Both sides should stay committed to resolving the issue through dialogue and consultation. He also hoped that the Indian side would strictly abide by the series of agreements reached and effectively strengthen the control over front-line troops and refrain from provocations.
The two sides should bear in mind the overall interests of China-India relations and regional peace and stability, make joint efforts to meet each other halfway, cool down the current situation as soon as possible and safeguard peace and tranquillity in the China-India border areas, Wei said at the meeting.
Defence
Secretary
Ajay
Kumar
and
Indian
Ambassador
to
Russia
D
B
Venkatesh
Varma
were
part
of
the
Indian
delegation
at
the
talks
that
began
at
around
9:30
pm(IST)
at
a
prominent
hotel
in
Moscow
following
a
request
from
Gen.
Wei.
"The
meeting
between
Raksha
Mantri
Shri
@rajnathsingh
and
Chinese
Defence
Minister,
General
Wei
Fenghe
in
Moscow
is
over.
The
meeting
lasted
for
2
hours
and
20
minutes,"
Singh's
office
tweeted.