India requested an early resolution of all unresolved issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) on Thursday, with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar urging his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi to complete a military pullout in order to restore peace and calm in border regions, news agency PTI reported.
Jaishankar and Wang looked forward to the next round of military negotiations between the two sides to address the border problem during a one-hour long meeting in Bali on the sidelines of a G20 conference of foreign ministers.
Despite multiple rounds of discussions, the prolonged military stalemate has brought bilateral ties to an all-time low, and both parties have been able to remove frontline soldiers from all places of contention.
Taking to Twitter, Jaishankar said, "Began my day in Bali by meeting FM Wang Yi of China. Discussion lasted one hour. Focused on specific outstanding issues in our bilateral relationship pertaining to the border situation. Also spoke about other matters including students and flights."
In an issued statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said, "The External Affairs Minister (EAM) called for an early resolution of all the outstanding issues along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh."
Recalling the disengagement accomplished in some friction locations, Jaishankar emphasised the importance of maintaining momentum to complete disengagement from all remaining regions in order to restore peace and serenity in border areas.
"He reaffirmed the importance of fully abiding by bilateral agreements and protocols, and the understandings reached between the two ministers during their previous conversations," the MEA said, PTI reported.
"In this regard, both ministers affirmed that the military and diplomatic officials of the two sides should continue maintaining regular contact and looked forward to the next round of senior commanders' meeting at an early date," it said.
Jaishankar further stated that mutual respect, shared sensitivity, and common interests are essential in the India-China relationship.
According to the MEA, Jaishankar also remembered his March meeting with Wang Yi in Delhi and evaluated the status of various major topics mentioned at the time, including student repatriation.
"The EAM stressed the need for expediting the process and facilitating the return of students on an early date," the MEA said.
India has been advocating for the immediate withdrawal of soldiers from all remaining flashpoints in eastern Ladakh in order to de-escalate the situation, claiming that peace and quiet along the border are prerequisites for development in overall ties.
(With PTI Inputs)