Need to avoid trade curbs to normalise ties: Jaishankar

In his first visit to China in almost six years, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Monday told his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi that the two neighbours resolving "friction" on the India-China border had led to an easing of tensions, and they should now build on it to address other related aspects, including border management and de-escalation.

- ARCHIS MOHAN

Jaishankar said the two neighbours should also normalise people-to-people contacts and avoid "restrictive trade measures and roadblocks". He underlined the need for cooperation on transborder rivers and urged the Chinese side to resume providing hydrological data.

In his opening remarks at his meeting with the Chinese foreign minister in Beijing, Jaishankar said relations between the two countries can continue to develop on a "positive trajectory" on the foundation that differences should not become disputes and competition should not become conflict.

Alluding to China restricting the supply of critical minerals and flagging the need to foster mutually beneficial cooperation, including through people-to-people exchanges, Jaishankar said, "It is also essential in this context that restrictive trade measures and roadblocks are avoided."

He said he hoped to discuss these issues in further detail with Wang.