Jaishankar's call with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi lasted 75 mins; EAMs to set up hotline

After reviewing the status of disengagement in the Pangong Lake area of Eastern Ladakh, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stressed that India and China should quickly resolve the remaining issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). He noted that the border tensions have adversely affected the bilateral relations between the two countries over the last year. 

Releasing a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that EAM S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi had a 75 minutes-long telephonic conversation on Thursday afternoon. The two ministers discussed the situation along the LAC and other issues related to overall India-China relations.

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During the conversation, Jaishankar said that the bilateral relations between the two countries have been severely impacted over the last year. He said that Boundary Questions may take time to resolve but the disturbance of peace and tranquility including violence will inevitably have a damaging impact on the relationship.

EAM noted that the two sides have maintained continuous communication since then through both diplomatic and military channels that led to progress in disengagement in the Pangong Tso Lake area earlier this month. Jaishankar further emphasized that both sides should now quickly resolve the remaining issues along the LAC and work towards the restoration of peace and tranquility in the area. 

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'An important step forward': China on disengagement at LAC

Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, on his part, expressed satisfaction at the progress made so far.

"It was an important step forward for the restoration of peace and tranquillity in border areas. Both sides should make efforts to consolidate outcomes. It was also necessary to sincerely implement the common understanding reached various levels." Wang told Jaishankar during the telephonic call. He spoke about the need to improve management and control in the border areas.

The Chinese Foreign Minister noted that the Indian side had proposed 'three mutuals' (mutual respect, mutual sensitivity, and mutual interests) as the approach to the relationship. He also agreed on the importance of taking the long view of our ties. The two Ministers agreed to remain in touch and establish a hotline. 

READ | China Backs India On Hosting BRICS 2021 Summit In Sign Of Thaw Amid LAC Disengagement

Disengagement at Pangong Tso

India and China have "smoothly" completed the disengagement of forces in the Pangong Lake area, Defence Ministry had said in a joint statement after the 10th round of Corps Commander Level meeting between the two Asian powers. Earlier this month, both the armies agreed to disengagement from the South Pangong Tso area. China has agreed to its troop presence in the North Bank area to the east of Finger 8, while Indian troops will be based at their permanent base at Dhan Singh Thapa Post near Finger 3.

READ | Congress 'shocked' At India-Pakistan Joint Statement; Peddles Refuted Narrative On China

Full release of India and China's Foreign Ministers' phone call

Phone call between External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar and Foreign Minister of China, H.E. Mr. Wang Yi

February 26, 2021

The External Affairs Minister and the State Councillor and Foreign Minister of China, H.E. Mr. Wang Yi, had a phone conversation yesterday afternoon. It lasted 75 minutes. The two Foreign Ministers discussed the situation along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh and also issues related to overall India-China relations.

EAM referred to the meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister in September 2020 in Moscow where Indian side had expressed its concern on provocative behavior and unilateral attempts of the Chinese side to alter status quo. He noted that the bilateral relations have been impacted severely over last year. EAM said that Boundary Question may take time to resolve but disturbance of peace and tranquility including by violence, will inevitably have a damaging impact on the relationship.

EAM said that during their meeting in Moscow last year, both Ministers had agreed that the situation in the border areas was not in the interest of either side and decided that the border troops of both sides should continue their dialogue, quickly disengage and ease tensions. EAM noted that the two sides had maintained continuous communication since then through both the diplomatic and military channels. This had led to progress as both sides had successfully disengaged in the Pangong Tso Lake area earlier this month.

Noting the completion of disengagement in Pangong Lake area, EAM emphasized that both sides should now quickly resolve the remaining issues along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh. EAM said that once disengagement is completed at all friction points, then the two sides could also look at broader de-escalation of troops in the area and work towards restoration of peace and tranquility.
State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, on his part,expressed satisfaction at the progress made so far. It was an important step forward for restoration of peace and tranquility in border areas. He felt that both sides should make efforts to consolidate outcomes. It was also necessary to sincerely implement the common understanding reached at various levels. He spoke about the need to improve management and control in the border areas.

EAM highlighted that both sides had always agreed that maintenance of peace and tranquility in border areas was essential basis for development of bilateral relations. A prolongation of the existing situation was not in the interest of either side. It was, therefore, necessary that the two sides should work towards early resolution of remaining issues. It was necessary to disengage at all friction points in order to contemplate de-escalation of forces in this sector. That alone will lead to the restoration of peace and tranquility and provide conditions for progress of our bilateral relationship.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi also noted that the Indian side had proposed ‘three mutuals’ (mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interests) as the approach to the relationship. He also agreed on the importance of taking the long view of our ties. The two Ministers agreed to remain in touch and establish a hotline.

New Delhi
February 26, 2021