India, China foreign ministers to set up hotline

February 26, 2021 18:56

Foreign Minister S Jaishankar

India has told China that disengagement at all friction points is necessary to contemplate de-escalation of troops in eastern Ladakh even as the foreign ministers of the two countries agreed to establish a hotline for "timely" communication and exchange of views.

In the first high level contact after the two countries agreed early this month to disengage from the Pangong Tso area in eastern Ladakh, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi during a telephonic conversation on Thursday that peace and tranquillity on the border is essential for development of bilateral relations.

The armies of the two sides last week concluded withdrawal of troops and weapons from the North and South banks of the Pangong lake.

Releasing details of the 75-minute conversation, the ministry of external affairs said in a statement on Friday that China was told that bilateral relations have been impacted severely over last year.

The tense military standoff in eastern Ladakh erupted on May 5 last.

The two leaders discussed the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh and issues related to overall India-China relations.

"EAM said that boundary question may take time to resolve but disturbance of peace and tranquillity, including by violence, will inevitably have a damaging impact on the relationship," the MEA said.

"The two ministers agreed to remain in touch and establish a hotline."

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