MEA Secretary Jaishankar Meets Top Chinese Officials to Soothen Feelings

Amid apprehensions and suspicions, Indian foreign secretary S. Jaishankar visited Beijing and held talks with top officials to bring a semblance of rapproachement in fast-deteriorating bilateral relations.

On Wednesday, Dr. Jaishankar held held parleys over Beijing’s reluctance to support India’s NSG bid as well as a UN ban on JeM chief Masood Azhar, the two top impediments in current bilateral relations. Even the proposed U$46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is another major issue now.

The China-India Dialogue with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held earlier gave out hints on the scope of further talks and Jaishankar’s visit is expected to cement the relations in view of common perceptions on global trade and the role as Asia’s two major developing countries and emerging markets.

Wang had said, “I am certain by raising the level of this strategic dialogue the two sides will be able to enhance their strategic communication, reduce misunderstanding and build more trust and deepen our strategic cooperation.”

In response, Jaishankar said, “This is the first time that the restructured strategic dialogue is taking place… This shows that our relationship today has gone well beyond bilateral manifestations,” he said.

Jaishankar, who was a former Ambassador to China, met China’s top diplomat Yang Jiechi on Tuesday. On differences over NSG and Azhar issue, Jaishankar described these as natural issues which neighbours will always have and maintained that it is the responsibility of both the nations to address them.