External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Heads of State summit in Astana on Thursday. The two leaders shared a warm handshake, chatted for a while, and posed for a picture together.
India and China have been in a military standoff for the last three years since May 2020. This conflict began when Chinese forces tried to alter the status quo on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) aggressively. The two countries have had several discussions to achieve complete disengagement and resolve issues along the LAC in the Western sector of the India-China border areas.
India’s Participation in the SCO Summit
Jaishankar is leading the Indian delegation to the 24th Meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State (SCO Summit) in Kazakhstan. Upon his arrival in Astana, he was welcomed by Kazakhstan’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Alibek Bakaye.
On Wednesday, Jaishankar visited Pushkin Park in Astana, where he paid tribute to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi. He was accompanied by members of the Indian community during this visit.
Jaishankar expressed his gratitude to Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Murat Nurtleu, for the warm hospitality and arrangements made for the SCO Summit. He mentioned this in a post on X, stating: “Delighted to meet DPM & FM Murat Nurtleu of Kazakhstan in Astana today. Thanked him for the hospitality and arrangements for the SCO Council of Heads of State Summit. Discussed our expanding Strategic Partnership and India’s increasing engagement with Central Asia in various formats. Also exchanged views on regional and global issues.”
Agenda of the SCO Summit
During the SCO Summit, leaders are expected to review the organization’s activities over the past two decades and discuss the state and prospects of multilateral cooperation. According to a press release from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), they will also address issues of regional and international importance.
The meeting between Jaishankar and Wang Yi, alongside the discussions at the SCO Summit, signifies an important step in addressing ongoing border tensions and enhancing cooperation within the region.
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