India has told China that it should not view New Delhi as a US ally, which is engaged in the containment of the Middle Kingdom.

In a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Dushanbe, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that it was essential that China "does not view its relations with India through the lens of a third country".

Analysts say that India pursues a doctrine of "strategic autonomy" which makes it immune from joining any military or quasi-military alliances.

The two top diplomats also revisited the border standoff in eastern Ladakh, where Jaishankar stressed that border disengagement and the normalisation of the India-China ties are interlinked.

As for Asian solidarity, it is for China and India to set an example.

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) September 16, 2021

"Discussed disengagement in our border areas. Underlined that progress in this regard is essential for restoration of peace and tranquillity, which is the basis for development of bilateral ties," tweeted Jaishankar after meeting Wang.

Delegations of the two countries held detailed talks on various issues in the Tajik capital, a day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping address the SCO gathering during the leaders' meeting.

Jaishankar also stressed that India and China must set an example of demonstrating Asian solidarity.

"Also exchanged views on global developments. Emphasized that India does not subscribe to any clash of civilisations theory. As for Asian solidarity, it is for China and India to set an example," Jaishankar added in a series of tweets.

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