Astana (Kazakhstan): India and China on Thursday committed to double down efforts to resolve the outstanding issues in eastern Ladakh soon and to "stabilize and rebuild" their relationship during a meeting where Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar firmly conveyed to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi the importance of respecting the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

During talks held on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi the importance of fully adhering to bilateral agreements and protocols for border management.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that the two ministers had an in-depth discussion on resolving the remaining issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh to "stabilize and rebuild bilateral relations."

"Met with CPC Politburo member and FM Wang Yi in Astana this morning. Discussed early resolution of remaining issues in border areas. Agreed to redouble efforts through diplomatic and military channels to that end," Jaishankar said on 'X'.

"Respecting the LAC and ensuring peace and tranquillity in the border areas is essential. The three mutuals - mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest - will guide our bilateral ties," he said.

India maintains that normal relations with China depend upon peace in the border areas.

"Both Ministers agreed to continue and step up meetings of the diplomatic and military officials of the two sides to take forward their discussions to resolve the remaining issues at the earliest," the MEA said.

"To that end, they agreed that the Working Mechanism on Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs should hold an early meeting," it said.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that Jaishankar emphasized the importance of the India-China relationship being guided by the principles of mutual respect, mutual sensitivity, and mutual interests.

It noted that the two ministers concurred that the ongoing situation at the border is not beneficial for either country.

"The external affairs minister highlighted the need to redouble efforts to achieve complete disengagement from the remaining areas in eastern Ladakh and restore border peace and tranquillity in order to remove obstacles towards the return of normalcy in bilateral relations," the MEA said.

"He reaffirmed the importance of fully abiding by relevant bilateral agreements, protocols, and understandings reached between the two Governments in the past. The Line of Actual Control must be respected and peace and tranquillity in the border areas always enforced," it said.

The talks come amid the ongoing border dispute in eastern Ladakh, which entered its fifth year in May.

Indian and Chinese militaries have been in a standoff since May 2020, and while some disengagement has occurred, a full resolution has not been achieved.

Relations between the two countries deteriorated significantly after the Galwan Valley clash in June 2020, the most serious military conflict between them in decades.

The last round of high-level military talks was held in February, with both sides agreeing to maintain "peace and tranquillity” and continue communication despite the lack of a breakthrough.