China, India Should Support Each Other Rather Than...: Top Chinese Diplomat Tells EAM Jaishankar

India and China have agreed to hold the next round of military commander-level talks on the border issue “as soon as possible”.

EAM S Jaishankar and Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi at bilateral talks on the sidelines of ASEAN in Indonesia's Jakarta ( Image Source :Twitter/@DrSJaishankar )

China’s top diplomat urged India to focus on “common interests” and meet China “halfway” to defuse border tensions between the two Asian countries, said the Chinese foreign ministry on Saturday. "China and India's common interests clearly outweigh their differences," Wang Yi told external affairs minister S Jaishankar during their bilateral talks on the sidelines of ASEAN in Indonesia's Jakarta, as per an AFP report. "The two sides should support each other, rather than... suspect each other," said the top Chinese diplomat.

The statement comes amid simmering border tensions between the two neighbouring countries, and a recent visa spat in which the two sides have expelled nearly all of each other’s journalists. 

"It is hoped that the Indian side will meet China halfway and find a solution to the border issue that is acceptable to both sides," Wang said. 

As per the report, the two countries have agreed to hold the next round of military commander-level talks on the border issue “as soon as possible”, according to the statement by the ministry. 

India and its northern neighbour are locked in a military standoff along their mostly undemarcated border in the Ladakh region. Beijing also claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of Tibet, and it considers Kashmir a disputed territory.

Despite frosty relations, China is India’s second-largest trading partner. 

However, the 2020 Galwan clash in Ladakh region where 20 Indian and 4 Chinese soldiers were killed in a hand-to-hand fight came as a setback between both the countries. After the clash, New Delhi ramped up its scrutiny of Chinese businesses, banning over 300 Chinese apps including Tik Tok. It has also intensified scrutiny of investments by Chinese firms.

On India's recent restrictions against Chinese companies, Wang urged a fair, transparent and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies, reported Reuters.