Peace in border areas essential for bilateral relations, India tells China

NEW DELHI: In a recent meeting with her Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj stressed the importance of peaceful borders as "an essential prerequisite" for relations between the two countries, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Wednesday.
"The Chinese foreign minister conveyed that the peaceful resolution of the Doklam issue reflects the political maturity on both sides.While agreeing with this, the external affairs minister reiterated that maintenance of peace in border areas is an essential prerequisite for the smooth development of bilateral relations," ANI quoted the MEA as saying.
It added that the ministers of the two countries had "noted" the challenge the Doklam issue had posed, even as they "expressed satisfaction" at its resolution.
Both sides credited "concerted diplomatic communications" for the end of the standoff.
The MEA statement said that Swaraj had stressed the need to handle differences "with due consideration to each other's sensitivities and concerns."
The meeting also saw India and China agree to enhance their strategic communication at all levels.
The Chinese foreign minister, who was in New Delhi to attend the Russia-India-China (RIC) Foreign Ministers' meeting, admitted that the Doklam standoff had put "severe pressure" on the ties between the two countries, PTI had reported yesterday.
He also cautioned that lessons must be learned and efforts must be made to avoid such an incident in the future, according to comments posted on the Chinese Foreign Ministry's website.
Wang's visit to New Delhi was the first by a top Chinese official after the long-drawn Doklam standoff and after the second five-year term of President Xi Jinping began.
(With inputs from agencies)