Updated: September 10, 2020 7:31:26 pm
Foreign Minister S Jaishankar, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, and Chinese Wang Yi at the RIC Summit (Source: Twitter / SJaishankar)
In an attempt to Reduce tensions in the Line of Real Control, Foreign Minister S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi will hold a meeting soon in Moscow on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MEA) announced Thursday night. .
The development comes amid a deepening crisis in Ladakh, with gunfire across LAC in 45 years and Indian troops occupying key heights and thwarting Chinese movements in the Chushul sector. Jaishankar, who is on a four-day visit to Russia, and Wang also had a lunch that was hosted by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov earlier that day.
“India-China are in contact through diplomatic and military channels to resolve the situation, this was the consensus when the defense ministers met. EAM will meet with the Chinese Foreign Minister shortly where he will discuss it. India is committed to resolving the border situation through peaceful negotiations, ”said MEA spokesman Anurag Srivastava.
Tensions have risen in Ladakh, where 5,000-7,000 Chinese troops, backed by tanks and artillery, clash with Indian troops occupying dominant heights on the southern bank of Pangong Tso and Rechin La near Rezang La from August 29-30. . Troops can now guard China’s Moldo garrison and prevent any attempts to enter through Spanggur Gap.
With the occupation now high, the Indians hope to bring the Chinese back to the table of disengagement talks. The Chinese have been reluctant to complete the withdrawal of troops on the north bank of Pangong Tso and at Gogra Post. About 50,000 Chinese soldiers have gathered along the Ladakh border, and the Indian army has mirrored the deployment.
Read | Preparing for Moscow, Delhi and Beijing work hotlines to reduce tensions
Jaishankar and Wang had a video conference meeting for the last time on June 23 after the Galwan Valley crash. They had spoken to each by phone on June 17, two days after the incident in which 20 members of the Indian army and an unspecified number of Chinese soldiers were killed in clashes.
He attended the RIC Foreign Ministers Meeting organized by FM Lavrov in Moscow. Thank him for his warm hospitality. India takes over the chairmanship of the RIC process. pic.twitter.com/fNAFI0aaCL
– Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) September 10, 2020
Earlier in the day, Jaishankar held separate meetings with his counterparts from Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan and agreed to cooperate with key Central Asian countries on regional and security concerns.
Read also | S Jaishankar on India-China Border Row: ‘Serious Situation … Needs Deep Talks at Political Level’
“He agreed to closely coordinate regional concerns. We will drive our growing development partnership. Appreciate the vital role of Uzbekistan in our Central Asian engagement, ”Jaishankar tweeted. On Wednesday, Jaishankar met separately with his counterparts from Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.
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