Beijing: China said Friday it has taken note of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s suggestions to mend the strained bilateral relations. It appreciated S Jaishankar’s remarks because those showed that New Delhi attached importance to ties with Beijing.
“We have noted Minister Jaishankar’s remarks,” China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a media briefing here Friday. He was responding to a question on the online address by Jaishankar to the 13th All India Conference of China Studies.
“He (Jaishankar) stressed the importance of India-China relations. It shows that the Indian side attaches importance to the ties with China, we appreciate this,” Zhao said.
“Meanwhile, we stress that the boundary issue shall not be linked with the overall bilateral relations. That is an important experience we have gathered through many years’ effort to keep the ties moving forward. We hope the Indian side will work with us to properly manage the differences, promote practical cooperation and bring bilateral relations back on track,” Zhao said.
In his address Thursday, the minister outlined eight broad principles and three ‘mutuals’ to mend the strained ties between India and China. He said the two countries are truly at crossroads and their choices will have profound repercussions, not just for them but for the entire world.
The minister said the developments in eastern Ladakh last year brought the relationship under ‘exceptional stress’. Jaishankar also pointed out that India is yet to receive a credible explanation for the change in China’s stance or reasons for amassing troops in the border areas.
The two countries are locked in a military standoff in eastern Ladakh since May 5 last. India and China have held several rounds of military and diplomatic talks to resolve the face-off in eastern Ladakh. However, no significant headway has been made so far.