China, India discuss better ties, easing border row
China's top diplomat Wang Yi has called on his Indian counterpart for the need to stabilized bilateral ties and avoid mistrust a the two neighboring and the world’s most populous countries tried easing military tensions along their extensive border.
Wang and India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar held talks on the sidelines of ASEAN meetings in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta on Friday, with the Chinese side insisting on the need for mutual cooperation rather than maintain suspicion, Chinese foreign ministry said in an official statement on the exchange.
Wang further told Jaishankar that Beijing and New Delhi need to work in the same direction to mutually resolve border issues, according to the ministry’s readout of the meeting.
"The two sides should support each other and accomplish things together, rather than wear each other down or suspect each other," Wang emphasized as quoted in the official statement, adding that India and China should not allow specific issues define their overall relationship.
The two sides also agreed to hold the next round of military commander-level talks on border issues at an early date, according to the statement.
Several rounds of military and diplomatic talks held between the two nations have led to easing of tensions though New Delhi has described the situation on the border as fragile and dangerous.
This is while India has also intensified its scrutiny of Chinese businesses since 2020, banning more than 300 Chinese apps, including TikTok. It has also escalated its surveillance of investments by Chinese companies.
The development came amid recent reports that Washington intends to transform India into a major hub for maintenance and resupplying of US warships in the South Asia region as part of a military partnership pact aimed at countering China, as part of a deal reached during a summit meeting earlier this month between American and Indian presidents.
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