S Jaishankar on China: India gave a direct message to Beijing on Thursday (June 8) making it clear that it is futile to expect normal relations with China until the situation on the border in eastern Ladakh is normalised. India said that relations with the neighboring country can progress only when there is peace and stability in the border areas.
Foreign Minister S Jaishankar termed the deployment of troops on the ‘advance front’ as the main problem in the relations between the two countries. Jaishankar told reporters on the occasion of the completion of nine years of the Narendra Modi government’s tenure at the Center, “India also wants to improve relations with China. But this is possible only when there is peace and stability in the border areas.
The Foreign Minister made it very clear to China that the relationship between the two countries cannot move forward until there is peace and stability in the border areas. Citing the situation on the northern border and the country’s stand against China’s ‘Belt and Road’ initiative, Jaishankar said that India does not get swayed by any pressure, greed and wrong discussions.
‘We have to find ways to withdraw the troops’
The ‘Belt and Road’ initiative is a plan sponsored by China to develop infrastructure connectivity among countries in Asia, Africa and Europe on the basis of the old Silk Road. There has been tension between India and China in some areas of the conflict in eastern Ladakh for more than three years. However, after several rounds of military and diplomatic talks between the two countries, both sides have retreated from some areas.
The Foreign Minister said that both sides will have to find ways to withdraw their troops and the current standoff is not in China’s interest either. Responding to questions in this regard, Jaishankar said, “The reality is that relations have been affected and it will continue to be affected…. If one expects that we can somehow (relation) despite the situation on the border not being normal. ) If we make it normal then this is not a reasonable expectation.
Has China occupied India’s territory after 2020?
Asked whether China has occupied India’s territory after the May 2020 border dispute, Jaishankar said the problem is the deployment of troops at the front. The relationship between the two countries is not good since the conflict in Galvan Valley in June 2020. Due to this, for the first time in decades, a situation of serious military conflict had arisen between the two sides.
Jaishankar said, “We want to improve relations with China. But this is possible only when there is peace and stability in the border areas and if there is an agreement then it should be followed.
‘Withdrawal is a comprehensive process’
The Foreign Minister said, “It is not that the dialogue has broken down. The thing is that we were talking with China even before the Galvan incident. And telling them that we are watching the activities of your soldiers which in our opinion are violative. I had a conversation with my Chinese counterpart the morning after the Galvan incident.
He said that since then both sides are talking through diplomatic and military channels. He said, “Withdrawal is a comprehensive process.” He said that people associated with it are working on its specifics. The Foreign Minister said that India’s relations with all major countries and important groups are moving forward except China.
‘Peace and stability should be established in the border areas’
When asked why this is so, Jaishankar said, “Only China can answer this.” Because for some reasons, China chose the path of breaking the agreement in the year 2020 and advancing the troops to the border areas. The External Affairs Minister said, “It has been made amply clear to them that our relations cannot move forward until peace and stability is established in the border areas. This is the obstacle that is stopping us.
Responding to a question about China’s growing friendship with Russia, Jaishankar did not comment, but made it clear that New Delhi’s ties with Moscow are fairly stable. He said, “It is because the leadership of both the countries understands the importance of this relationship. We don’t do anything that puts a question mark on our relationship.
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