New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar met his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Wednesday, July 14 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan on the sidelines of the SCO Foreign Ministers’ meeting and the two leaders had a detailed exchange of views on the current situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh and also on other issues.
In candid parleys, Dr Jaishankar pointed out to the Chinese State Councilor that the "successful disengagement" in the Pangong Lake Area earlier this year had created conditions for resolving the remaining issues.
"It was expected that the Chinese side would work with us towards this objective," an MEA statement said, adding Dr Jaishankar – however – noted that the situation in the remaining areas is still unresolved.
They also agreed that the two sides should discuss all the remaining issues and seek a "mutually acceptable solution".
"There was also an understanding that both sides will continue to ensure stability on the ground and neither side will take any unilateral action that could increase tension", an MEA release said.
The External Affairs Minister emphasized the need to follow through on the agreement reached between two countries earlier to complete the disengagement, resolving the remaining issues along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh at the earliest.
The two Ministers noted the agreement between both sides in the last meeting of the WMCC on 25 June 2021 to hold another round of the Meeting of Senior Military Commanders. They agreed that this should be convened at the earliest. Jaishankar and his counterpart agreed to "remain in touch".
Jaishankar speaks to South African Minister:
In the context of the ongoing unrest in some parts of South Africa, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Wednesday spoke to Foreign Minister of South Africa, Dr Naledi Pandor. It was a cordial and open conversation as the two leaders know each other personally.
Sanjay Bhattacharya, Secretary, MEA also met the High Commissioner of South Africa to India, Joel Sibusiso Ndebele, sources said.
The South African side assured that their Government was doing its utmost to enforce law and order and asserted that early restoration of normalcy and peace was its overriding priority. They expected the situation to improve soon.
Regarding reports of arson and looting against Indians and Indian-origin South Africans, the South African side conveyed that opportunistic elements were taking advantage of the situation to engage in looting and violence, as had been highlighted by President Ramaphosa in his Address to the Nation on July 12.
They emphasized that the ongoing events were criminal in nature and not political or racially motivated, the source said.
