India-China ties rest on ‘3 mutuals’, Jaishankar tells Wang Yi

India and China need to “take forward” the de-escalation process along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi at a meeting here this evening. He suggested that the two nations should be guided by three “mutuals” — mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest.

“Differences must not become disputes nor competition conflict,” Jaishankar said.

“The basis for any positive momentum in our ties is the ability to jointly maintain peace and tranquillity in border areas. It is also essential that the de-escalation process moves forward,” Jaishankar said while making his opening remarks at the meeting with Wang.

Wang spoke about consolidating the momentum of the China-India relations.

This is the second time in less than five weeks that Jaishankar has stressed the need for de-escalation along the LAC — the disputed border between the two countries. At a meeting in Beijing on July 14, Jaishankar had conveyed to Wang how it “is incumbent upon us to address other aspects related to the border, including de-escalation”.

At the meeting today, Jaishankar said, “India and China have been through a difficult period in their relationship”. He added, “Our two nations now seek to move ahead. This requires a candid and constructive approach on both sides”.

The two ministers also discussed economic and state issues, people-to-people contacts, river data sharing, border trade, connectivity and bilateral issues.

Wang arrived in India on Monday afternoon for the 24th round of Special Representative (SR)-level talks with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, scheduled for Tuesday.

This is also the first visit by a Chinese minister since Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met at Kazan, Russia, in October 2024.

The issue of de-escalation along the LAC is pending since October last year when the two sides agreed to disengage from two friction spots along the LAC. India has suggested a “three Ds” stepwise approach to cool down tempers along the LAC. The first ‘D’ — disengagement — was completed in October 2024. This entailed pulling back armed troops from an eyeball-to-eyeball deployment. The next two ‘Ds’ — de-escalation and de-induction — are being negotiated.

Meanwhile, at the talks today, the international situation was also discussed. “When the world’s two largest nations meet, it is natural that the international situation will be discussed. We seek a fair, balanced and multi-polar order,” Jaishankar told his counterpart.

At the Jaishankar-Wang talks, India raised the issue of terrorism. Beijing’s ally, Pakistan, foments terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir and often a veto is exercised by China at the UN Security Council to stall action against Pak-based terrorists. “The fight against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations is another major priority. I look forward to our exchange of views,” Jaishankar told Wang.

Earlier in the day, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Beijing was ready to work with India to “sustain lasting peace and tranquillity in the border areas”.

Wang’s visit to India is happening just two weeks short of the SCO leaders’ summit in China. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping.