External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the G-20 Foreign Ministers' meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Discussion focused on bilateral developments, including border tensions at the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Jaishankar emphasized that both nations are key members of G-20, SCO, and BRICS and must work together despite global polarization.
Preserving Multilateral Forums
Jaishankar highlighted that India and China worked to protect the G-20 as an institution, reinforcing their commitment to global governance and cooperation.
BRICS’ relevance was defended, especially against U.S. criticism, where former President Donald Trump called it "dead".
Future Diplomatic Engagements
Talks included the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage, trans-border river discussions, and improved flight connectivity.
India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra had engaged in prior discussions on border peace and stability.
Global Geopolitical Context
Reference to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s boycott of the G-20 meeting in South Africa.
Other BRICS engagements: Jaishankar met leaders of South Africa, Russia, and Brazil for discussions on economic cooperation.
Way Forward
The India-China dialogue signifies a pragmatic approach to diplomacy despite ongoing border tensions post-Galwan clashes (2020).
Strengthening multilateral cooperation in platforms like BRICS, G-20, and SCO can balance global power dynamics.
Going forward, confidence-building measures (CBMs), economic cooperation, and structured diplomatic channels will be critical to managing tensions while maintaining engagement.
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