Jaishankar meets Wang Yi in Laos: Is thaw in Sino-Indian ties possible?

ASEAN foreign ministers converged in Laos for the 57th ASEAN foreign ministers meeting and related meeting and raised regional concerns such as violence in Myanmar and border issues between concerned neighbours. In a statement released by the ministry of external affairs, EAM Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi met in Vientiane, Laos, on the sidelines of an ASEAN meeting to review the situation and take forward the discussion held in Astana earlier this month. In less than a month, the two held talks twice, which emphasises the importance the New Delhi and Beijing hold in early resolution of the LAC standoff.

The meeting took place shortly after Jaishankar arrived in Vientiane, Laos, for a series of ASEAN-related meetings. This meeting is one of the first bilateral meetings that occurred during the visit. The discussions between the two primarily centred around seeking a prompt and early resolution to the remaining disputes along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in order to establish stability and restore bilateral relations between the two countries.

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In his initial remarks prior to their meeting, Jaishankar asserted that ‘It is crucial for the future of Asia and the multipolar world that the two countries are able to guarantee their stability and progress’. “Peace and tranquility on the borders is possible, and respect for LAC is essential for any kind of normalcy in bilateral relations”, he said.

During the course of their talk, they agreed on the need to work with urgency and purpose for early resolution on LAC, which has put strain on their bilateral relations since 2020. “Peace and tranquility on the borders is possible, and respect for LAC is essential for any kind of normalcy in bilateral relations." Further, in a statement put out by MEA, it said, “It is necessary for both sides to abide by protocols and relevant bilateral agreements and understanding reached between them in the past.”

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Jaishankar also stressed the importance of three mutuals: mutual respect, mutual interests, and mutual sensitivity, indicating how New Delhi would want Beijing to conduct itself if normalcy is to be expected soon.

His counterpart Wang Yi also stressed that improving the ties between India-China is not only beneficial to them but to other nations as well.

The External Affairs Ministry stated that both parties have agreed to hold an “early meeting” of the Working Mechanism on Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC), which will involve officials from the External Affairs Ministry as well as border and military officials. This meeting aims to further the discussions on India-China border affairs.

Although the two parties had previously managed to withdraw from several conflict areas between 2020 and 2022, subsequent discussions in the WMCC and between border commanders have not resulted in any significant progress. The key issue that remains unresolved is the withdrawal of the Chinese army from their positions in the Demchok and Depsang sectors. The 29th meeting of the WMCC grouping took place in Beijing in March 2024, where two sides ‘had an in-depth exchange of views on how to achieve complete disengagement and resolve remaining issues along the Line of Actual Control (LCA)’. ‘Meanwhile both sides agreed to maintain regular contact through diplomatic and military channels’.

Jaishankar expressed his optimism that the meeting on Thursday would enable them to provide more authoritative instructions to officials in order to successfully conclude the disengagement process, which has had a negative impact on India-China relations.

In addition, he emphasised the importance of both parties upholding the principles of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and honouring previous agreements. This highlights the significance of the agreements made in the 1990s regarding boundary management, which remain pertinent for India in resolving the ongoing military standoff.

The standoff originated in April 2020 when the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) violated the LAC, resulting in fatal clashes in Galwan for the first time in four decades.

The discussions occurred at a moment when the Indian government is contemplating easing certain limitations on Chinese enterprises and explicitly promoting the additional Foreign Direct Investment from China, as suggested in the Economic Survey published prior to this week’s budget.

India and China, the world’s most populous countries, must resolve their border issues to ensure regional stability, economic growth, and geopolitical balance. The persistent border tensions, particularly along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), have periodically escalated into violent clashes, straining diplomatic relations and causing military standoffs.

Resolving these disputes is crucial for several reasons. First, unresolved border disputes, such as those in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh, have repeatedly led to military standoffs and skirmishes, threatening regional stability and causing unnecessary loss of lives. Secondly, ongoing tensions divert substantial resources towards military expenditures, which could be better utilised for developmental and social welfare projects benefiting their vast populations.

Further, with improved bilateral relations, there would be enhancements in trade, investment, and cooperation in global forums leading to regional prosperity. Also, resolving these disputes would enable India and China to collaborate more effectively on global issues such as climate change and terrorism.

Peaceful borders would contribute to a more stable geopolitical environment in Asia, fostering stronger regional alliances and cooperation. In essence, resolving border issues is not only a strategic imperative but also a necessary step towards ensuring long-term peace, stability, and prosperity for both nations and the broader region.

Vijay Maidergi is PhD Scholar at DPIS, Pondicherry University. Hari Yadav is ICSSR Fellow at South Asia Studies, Pondicherry University. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.