Jaishankar Pushes Stable India-China Ties & Multi-Polar Asia Amid Quad Talks

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar recently concluded a significant diplomatic visit to Manila, where he engaged in crucial discussions with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, and participated in the Quad Foreign Ministers' meeting. A central theme of these talks was the emphasis on fostering stable India-China relations, which Jaishankar stated are vital for building a "multi-polar Asia" and a "multi-polar world."

During his meeting with Wang Yi, Jaishankar underscored that peace and tranquility in the border areas remain a fundamental prerequisite for the normalization of bilateral ties. He highlighted that a stable and cooperative relationship between the two Asian giants must be built on mutual respect, mutual interest, and mutual sensitivity. India welcomed the recent measures aimed at improving Sino-Indian relations, including the resumption of direct flights, updates to the visa regime, the restart of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra, and the resumption of border trade. These steps, he noted, contribute positively to the ongoing engagement.

Jaishankar also recalled the October 2024 meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping in Kazan, where both leaders agreed that "differences should not become disputes" and that diplomacy must effectively manage them. Beyond border issues, discussions also covered critical economic aspects, such as the need for fair market access and predictable supply chains, vital for both nations' economic stability.

Following these bilateral discussions, Jaishankar joined the Foreign Ministers of the Quad countries—Australia, India, Japan, and the U.S.—on the sidelines of the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. Here, the Quad nations reaffirmed their collective commitment to strengthening a free and open Indo-Pacific, extending unwavering support for "ASEAN unity and centrality," particularly in the face of Chinese assertiveness in the region.

Separately, in a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Jaishankar raised "strong concern" regarding the safety of Indian seafarers. This meeting occurred days after four Indian seafarers were tragically killed in a Russian projectile strike in the Black Sea, demonstrating India's commitment to protecting its citizens abroad.

Overall, Jaishankar's diplomatic engagements in Manila signal India's proactive approach to navigating complex international relations, balancing bilateral challenges with multilateral cooperation, and championing a stable, multi-polar global order.

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