Clues to the China-India Border Issue (Comprehensive)

Foreign Ministers of Both Countries Hold Bilateral Meeting in Russia
Agreement on Compliance with Border Management Regulations to Prevent Situation Deterioration

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] A consensus to "prevent the escalation of border disputes" has been formed between the Chinese and Indian governments.

According to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 11th, Wang Yi (王毅), Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister, and S. Jaishankar, Indian Minister of External Affairs, met on the 10th (local time) at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in Moscow, Russia, and issued a joint statement with this content.

At the meeting, the two ministers agreed that they should follow the important consensus reached by the leaders of China and India on the development of bilateral relations, which includes not escalating conflicts between the two countries into disputes.

They also agreed that the current situation in the border areas of both countries is not beneficial to mutual interests, and that the border guards of both countries will continue dialogue and avoid unnecessary contact to ease the current situation.

The two ministers agreed to abide by existing border-related regulations and refrain from actions that could worsen the situation.

Furthermore, both countries agreed to continue communication through the border issue-related negotiation framework and to work towards restoring mutual trust.

State Councilor Wang Yi said at the meeting, "It is normal for neighboring countries to have conflicts, but conflicts should be placed in an appropriate position within bilateral relations," adding, "The two countries need a strategic consensus to develop as cooperative partners without threatening each other, rather than as competitors."

Minister Jaishankar responded, "We do not want an escalation of tensions in the China-India border area," and said, "India's policy towards China has not changed, and I believe China’s policy has not changed either."

He added, "The development of bilateral relations with China is not premised on resolving border issues, nor do we want to go back to the past," and "India hopes to ease border tensions and restore peace in the border areas through dialogue with China."

This meeting between the foreign ministers of the two countries is the first since the armed clash occurred at the border in May.

The militaries of both countries clashed on June 15 in the eastern Galwan Valley of the Ladakh region in northern India, resulting in 20 Indian soldiers killed. On the 7th, the two militaries engaged in a clash near the border involving firearms for the first time in 45 years.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.