New Delhi: China should deal with India on merits and avoid viewing its bilateral ties from the perspective of New Delhi’s relations with third countries, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi during an interaction in Bishkek late.
“India does not believe in the clash of civilisations and considers unity among Asian countries a crucial matter. Asian solidarity would depend on the example set by India-China relations,’’ the Minister said in his second meeting in three months with Wang to resolve the border issue.
Jaishankar emphasised that the two sides should work towards early resolution of the border issues, because prolongation of the existing situation was negatively impacting the relationship.
“The Ministers agreed that military and diplomatic officials should meet again and continue their discussions to resolve the remaining issues at the earliest,’’ said the Indian readout.
The Chinese readout said Wang hoped India would meet China “halfway’’ to shift the situation in eastern Ladakh from “urgent dispute settlement’’ to regular management and control.
China has always been positive in seeking a proper solution to the border issue and the recent meetings between military commanders and diplomats was “earnest and effective’’, it added.AGENCIES