‘Stable India-China ties will help build multi-polar Asia’, Pg14

Key Highlights:

• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Manila, advocating for stable India-China relations to foster a multi-polar Asia and world.
• He emphasized that peace and tranquility in border areas are essential prerequisites for normal bilateral ties.
• EAM Jaishankar also participated in the Quad Foreign Ministers' meeting, which reiterated support for stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
• India expressed strong concern to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov regarding the safety of Indian seafarers following a projectile strike in the Black Sea.
• Recent normalization steps between India and China include the resumption of direct flights, updates to the visa regime, and the restart of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra.

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Detailed Insights:

• The discussion between India and China highlighted that a stable relationship should be built on mutual respect, mutual interest, and mutual sensitivity.
• The meeting recalled the agreement between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping in Kazan in October 2024 that differences should not escalate into disputes.
• India raised the importance of predictable supply chains and fair market access during its engagement with China.
• The Quad meeting was held on the sidelines of the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, reaffirming commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.
• India's bilateral discussions with Russia covered various aspects of their partnership, including trade, investment, energy, connectivity, science and technology, and mobility.
• The incident involving Indian seafarers in the Black Sea underscores India's consistent efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens abroad.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Multi-polar world: A global power structure where multiple major powers exert influence, rather than a single dominant power or two opposing blocs.
• Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue): A strategic forum comprising Australia, India, Japan, and the United States, focused on promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific.
• ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations): A regional intergovernmental organization promoting economic, political, and security cooperation among its ten member states in Southeast Asia.
• Indo-Pacific: A geopolitical concept encompassing the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, emphasizing their interconnectedness and strategic importance.
• Kailash Manasarovar Yatra: An annual pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar in Tibet, considered sacred by Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains.