India's Jaishankar: Stable India-China ties will help build a multi-polar Asia and world

External Affairs Minister discusses India-China normalisation with Wang Yi, raises safety of Indian seafarers with Sergey Lavrov, and joins Quad talks backing a free and open Indo-Pacific

Published - July 22, 2026 03:58 pm IST - New Delhi

By Kallol Bhattacherjee

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Manila on Wednesday, stating that stable India-China relations will help foster a "multi-polar Asia" and a "multi-polar world."

The meeting took place shortly after the Foreign Ministers of the Quad countries — Australia, India, Japan, and the United States — met on the sidelines of the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in the Philippine capital, where they reiterated their support for stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

In a separate meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, held days after four Indian seafarers were killed in a Russian projectile strike in the Black Sea, Mr. Jaishankar expressed "strong concern" regarding the safety of Indian seafarers.

Key Remarks on India-China Relations

"We believe that a stable and cooperative relationship can best be developed on the basis of mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual sensitivity. Such a relationship can make a valuable contribution to a multi-polar Asia and a multi-polar world," Mr. Jaishankar said, highlighting that "peace and tranquillity in the border areas is obviously the pre-requisite for normal ties."

The comments came against the backdrop of renewed India-China engagement, including:

• Resumption of direct flights
• Updates to the visa regime
• Restart of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra
• Resumption of border trade

In this context, Mr. Jaishankar said, "... the steps in normalisation taken over the last few months must be welcomed."

He referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping's meeting in Kazan in October 2024 and recalled that the two leaders had "agreed that differences should not become disputes." "It is the duty of diplomacy to properly manage them," he said.

Mr. Jaishankar also raised the importance of "predictability of supply chains" and "fair market access," which need to be addressed.

Quad-ASEAN Cooperation

The Ministry of External Affairs issued a joint press release on cooperation between Quad members and ASEAN countries, stating:

"As ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partners we, the Secretary of State of the United States and the Foreign Ministers of Australia, India and Japan met today in Manila to reaffirm our commitment to strengthening a free and open Indo-Pacific and our unwavering support for ASEAN unity and centrality."

The ministers discussed:

• The ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP)
• Transnational security
• Economic opportunities
• Critical and emerging technologies
• Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR)

South China Sea Context

The expression of support for ASEAN member countries came three days after a maritime confrontation between the Philippine Navy and the China Coast Guard at the Ren'ai Reef in the South China Sea. Both sides have accused each other of aggression. China has summoned Manila's Ambassador to Beijing and lodged a protest against what it described as a "deliberate provocation."

Earlier, on July 6, China test-fired a long-range missile from a submarine in the South China Sea. The missile flew over the Philippines, drawing concern from regional countries, including Australia.

The Quad foreign ministers also reiterated their support for stability in the Indo-Pacific maritime domain.

India-Russia Meeting

Mr. Jaishankar held an "in-depth review" of India-Russia bilateral relations with Mr. Lavrov and expressed "strong concern regarding the safety of Indian seafarers in the region."

"Discussed various aspects of our partnership including trade and investment, energy and connectivity, science and technology and mobility," said Mr. Jaishankar about his meeting with Mr. Lavrov.

The meeting came days after four Indian seafarers were killed in a Russian projectile strike on a merchant vessel near Odesa. The two ministers, accompanied by other diplomats, also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis and the situation in the Gulf.