Russia’s envoy in New Delhi has expressed hope that China and India will normalise relations, which have been strained due to unresolved border disputes, RT reported.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of a conference in New Delhi organised by Russia’s Valdai Discussion Club and India’s Vivekananda International Foundation, the Russian ambassador to India, Denis Alipov, reiterated Moscow’s position on the need for its two major partners in Asia to “come to terms with each other.”
“We are fully supportive of normalization of the relationship between India and China. This is something we are not involved in, and do not want to be involved in. But better relations between… India and China… is something the world will benefit from,” Rt quoted Alipov as saying.
“I am confident that India and China, as major civilizations possessing unique political wisdom, will find ways to make progress on the border issue and normalize relations based on mutual respect.”
Relations between the two countries have been frosty due to border disputes – they are separated by the Line of Actual Control in the Himalayas – which resulted in violent clashes in 2020, killing soldiers on both sides. In 2022, the two parties disengaged in the Gogra-Hot Springs border area in the western Himalayas, following extensive diplomatic and military talks, but friction remains.
The 20th round of negotiations as part of efforts towards disengagement and de-escalation in October last year did not lead to a clear breakthrough.
ANI news agency reported on Tuesday, citing a report on bilateral relations published on Monday by the Chinese Embassy in India, that the two countries expressed hope they can effectively manage their differences and sensitive issues.
According to the report, during the 28th Meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on China-India Border Affairs, held in November last year, the nations reiterated the need to resolve disputes.
