External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met on Friday in Johannesburg, where they focused on several important issues, including maintaining peace in border areas, resuming the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, enhancing flight connectivity, and managing trans-border rivers.
This meeting took place during the G20 Foreign Ministers’ meeting, marking their second discussion since the disengagement of troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh last November. Both ministers engaged in talks to address ongoing diplomatic challenges between India and China.
Jaishankar later shared thoughts on social media, highlighting the significance of these interactions, especially during challenging times. “The opportunity to meet was a positive step, even as our relations faced difficulties,” he noted. The Indian External Affairs Ministry’s spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, mentioned that the meeting lasted about 30 minutes, during which the two ministers reviewed the progress in their bilateral relationship since November.
They discussed key topics such as maintaining peace and tranquility in border areas, the potential resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage, and improving connectivity between the two nations. They also exchanged views on the G20 and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
Jaishankar acknowledged the elevated need for cooperation, stating, “Despite a polarized global environment, our countries have worked diligently to uphold the G20 as a key body. This shows our commitment to international collaboration.”
The meeting comes at a time when India and China are seeking to mend their ties, which have soured due to tensions along the LAC since May 2020. The recent disengagement of troops in eastern Ladakh represents a step toward improving relations.
Jaishankar also emphasized the importance of their collaboration within groups like G20, SCO, and BRICS, discussing various regional and global issues that matter to both nations. Just before the meeting, he commented on the broader geopolitical landscape, noting it remains fraught with challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing conflicts, financial strains, and climate change.
Notably, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio did not attend the G20 meeting.
