NEW DELHI: Amid strained bilateral ties,
foreign minister
S Jaishankar had his first official meeting with new Chinese ambassador
Xu Feihong
. The minister later said in a post on X that he discussed with Xu the bilateral relationship and “our common interest in its stabilisation and progress”.
Xu said they exchanged views on
China-India relations
and other issues of common interest.
“Thanks for best wishes. Look forward to working with the Indian side to push forward the development of China-India relations towards the right direction,” said the ambassador.
Official sources said this was a courtesy meeting which the minister usually has with newly appointed envoys. India and China remain locked in a
border dispute
in eastern Ladakh, which has now entered its fifth year.
Even after 21 rounds of military and 15 rounds of
diplomatic talks
, the process of military disengagement is yet to be completed.
China believes the impasse in the remaining areas are legacy issues and that these should not be allowed to block resumption of normal bilateral exchanges.
India, however, has steadfastly maintained there can’t be any progress in ties till the time disengagement is effected in the remaining areas.
