Bilateral differences should not become disputes: S Jaishankar to China

NEW DELHI: India on Monday tried to smoothen China’s ruffled feathers, saying it is important to ensure that bilateral differences don’t blow up into big disputes. China suggested that India should play a “constructive role” for regional peace and stability.

These views were expressed when foreign minister S Jaishankar, who is on a three-day visit to China, called on Chinese vice president Wang Qishan and later met his counterpart Wang Yi.

Welcoming Jaishankar, Wang referred to the Indo-Pak tensions without directly referring to India scrapping Article 370. “China and India, as two big nations, have important responsibilities for upholding the regional peace and stability,” he said, adding: “When it comes to the recent tensions between India and Pakistan and the possible ramifications, we follow these developments very closely. We hope India would also play a constructive role for the regional peace and stability.”


Jaishankar said: “It was important that differences between us, if any, should not become disputes... I hope today the discussions we have would help us translate those convergences into many more shared activities and collaborations.”

China’s role in the UN Security Council is closely watched, given that Pakistan is its all-weather ally. Jaishankar’s visit comes two days after Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi travelled to Beijing on August 9 to seek China’s support in the UNSC on the Kashmir issue. Jaishankar briefed Wang about the rationale behind India’s move and emphasised J&K is India’s integral part.