SCO bilaterals: Focus on China's border and "trust-based" discussions with Russia
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang met in Goa on Thursday, two months after their initial meeting. According to Jaishankar, the meeting's focus was on "resolving outstanding issues" and "ensuring peace and tranquillity in border areas."
Given the three-year-old military impasse between India and China along the Line of Actual Control, the meeting is significant.
Jaishankar also met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, with whom he conducted a "comprehensive review" of "bilateral, global, and multilateral cooperation."
These conversations took held ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers' meeting on Friday.
Shilpak Ambule, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs and the officer in charge of China, Japan, and the Koreas, as well as the head of Jaishankar's office, met Qin at the Goa airport.
Jaishankar wrote on Twitter, "A detailed discussion with State Councillor and FM Qin Gang of China on our bilateral relationship." The emphasis remains on addressing unresolved concerns and maintaining peace and serenity along the border. The SCO, G20, and BRICS were also considered."
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After their meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers meeting in New Delhi on March 2, Jaishankar described the current state of bilateral relations as "abnormal" as they discussed the border standoff.
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| Jaishankar also met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, with whom he conducted a "comprehensive review" of "bilateral, global, and multilateral cooperation." (ANI) |
The "bulk of our conversation," he stated, was about the "current state of our relationship," which he described as "abnormal." "Those are the adjectives I used in that meeting," Jaishankar said, adding that there are "real problems" that both parties "need to talk about openly and candidly."
On Thursday, no such vehement statement was made.
"Comprehensive review of our bilateral, global, and multilateral cooperation with Russian FM Sergey Lavrov," Jaishankar stated after meeting Lavrov. Russia's support for India's SCO chairmanship was appreciated. G20 and BRICS concerns were also discussed."
According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, "a trust-based exchange of views took place on the main issues of bilateral relations, including the schedule of upcoming contacts, as well as topical issues on the global and regional agenda." The ministers appreciated the dynamism of collaboration in important sectors of our nations' special and privileged strategic alliance."
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According to the Russian statement, "the intention to further strengthen coordination in order to develop common approaches within the framework of interaction at the most important international platforms, including the SCO, BRICS, UN, and G20, was confirmed."
"The Parties agreed to continue on the path of constructing a fair multipolar system of interstate relations," it stated.
Lavrov's remarks were plainly directed at the US-led Western bloc, which Moscow believes is attempting to establish a global order controlled by the West.
Jaishankar also met with SCO Secretary General Zhang Ming, focusing on the grouping's overarching objective.
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"I began my meetings at the SCO CFM with a fruitful conversation with Secretary General Zhang Ming." "Thank you for your support for India's SCO presidency," he tweeted.
The "Indian presidency is motivated by a desire to SECURE SCO." Startups, traditional medicine, youth empowerment, Buddhist history, and science and technology are among its primary focal areas. "I'm hoping for a successful CFM in Goa," he remarked.
The meeting of the SCO Foreign Ministers on Friday is likely to discuss the agenda for the Summit in Delhi on July 3 and 4.
According to sources, the Foreign Ministers will consider the introduction of English as a "working language" in the SCO, alongside Chinese and Russian. During the SCO Summit in Delhi this July, they will also discuss the inclusion of two new members, Iran and Belarus.
During the SCO meeting, India will also take the lead in two new areas, according to sources: startups and innovation and traditional medicine.
All of these problems will be tackled, and the framework will be laid for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's July Summit in Delhi.
Among those likely to attend the summit are Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The SCO Foreign Ministers' conference is taking place as the Russia-Ukraine war enters its second year, with global implications for oil, food, and fertiliser security.
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