Delhi watches Beijing next step, Jaishankar and Wang may meet in Moscow

S Jaishankar with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. (Photo: PTI/File)

The day after Indian and Chinese Defence Ministers met in Moscow, the highest level in-person meeting between the two sides since the Ladakh standoff began early May, officials in New Delhi indicated they are watching whether General Wei Fenghe has the heft to influence the Beijing top brass on complete disengagement and de-escalation along the Line of Actual Control.

While both sides stuck to stated positions and blamed each other in official statements issued after the meeting, Delhi will wait for the next steps on the ground. There is a view within South Block that this time the Chinese will be tested on the sincerity of their commitment to the resolution of the crisis, especially after Indian troops occupied strategic heights along the LAC in the Chushul sector.

Until Friday, in-person conversations had taken place between military commanders and diplomats. Conversations at the level of Foreign Minister and National Security Advisor took place via videoconference. But the talks were not able to provide a breakthrough, barring some initial disengagement after Special Representatives, NSA Ajit Doval and Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang…