India-China Relations: S. Jaishankar, India’s Minister of External Affairs, stated on Thursday that relations between the two nations can only become normal when there is peace in the border regions. New Delhi’s signals to China are quite clear.
“I am saying that unless there is peace and tranquillity in the border areas, unless there is observance of agreements and no unilateral attempt made to change status quo, the relationship cannot be normal and is not normal,” Jaishankar said in his latest statement.
He remarked, in reference to the fighting in the Galwan Valley, that the events of 2020 were an “attempt by one party, and we know which one, to depart from agreements and understandings and that is at the heart of the issue.”
External Affairs Minister further said, “Have we made progress from then? In some respects, yes. Relatively speaking there were multiple friction points. In those friction points, there were dangerously close up deployments by the military, I think some of those issues have been worked out keeping in mind equal and mutual security. But there are some which still need to be worked upon. I think it’s in the nature of what I do that…it’s important to persevere and to keep pushing. Because it is tough or it is complicated, you don’t say, well that’s not going to happen.”
The minister of external affairs hoped that China would come to the realisation that its current condition is not even in its best interest.
Also Read: MCD Elections: In His 10 Promises for Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal Says BJP Won’t Win More Than
Relationships are currently not even in China’s best interest: EAM
He continued, “I keep on at it and I do genuinely believe that there will be, there should be a realisation that the present state of relations is not even in China’s own interest.”
“We are doing a lot of things in terms of various policies and various pronouncements and the state of relations after all, ask yourself if you are an objective observer, looking at the state of relations would you suggest that everything is okay and this can carry on without any negative impact for the parties concerned, I don’t think so,” he stated.
Also Read: National Education Day 2022: Know the significance, history and theme this year
There is no ambiguity in India’s message to China, according to Jaishankar.
“I don’t think there is any ambiguity about our signalling and our messaging. They will weigh it from their interests and where they are but…it isn’t just a matter of public sentiment, and public sentiment is strong…I think it is government policy, it is national thinking, public sentiment and strategic calculation. I do not think that the current state can continue without damage to the relationship,” he exclaimed.
There is no ambiguity in India’s message to China, according to Jaishankar.
“I don’t believe there is any ambiguity regarding our messaging and signalling. They will consider their personal interests and where they are, but it is not merely a matter of public opinion, which is strong. I believe it is a result of strategic planning, national thought, popular mood, and government policy. I don’t believe the situation can continue without harming the bond between us,” he stated.
Also Read: MCD Elections: In His 10 Promises for Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal Says BJP Won’t Win More Than
India-China Relations
Relations between India and China significantly deteriorated following the severe combat in the Galwan Valley in June 2020, which was the most significant military conflict between the two countries for decades.
The standoff in the eastern Ladakh areas of Demchok and Depsang has not yet been resolved, despite the fact that both sides withdrew soldiers from a number of flashpoints after a series of military and diplomatic discussions.
India has repeatedly insisted that the maintenance of calm and peace along the Line of Actual Control was essential for the overall growth of bilateral relations.
The standoff at the eastern Ladakh border started on May 5, 2020, after a bloody altercation in the Pangong lake regions.
Keep watching our YouTube Channel ‘DNP INDIA’. Also, please subscribe and follow us on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and TWITTER
