Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar told an event organized by the Indian Chamber of Commerce that engagement with China is not normal if there are a million soldiers sitting on the Line of Actual Control. He also stated that the security of the nation is paramount. According to him, the history of Indo-China relations post-1962 showed the intervention of Rajiv Gandhi into China in 1988.
He said the long understanding of the two nations with respect to the border dispute had been a peaceful process. But, in 2020, China did not keep its commitments, as they amassed troops on the border at the time of the COVID-19 lockdown, leading to the first bloody Galwan Valley clash.
Jaishankar said that India also matched and deployed its forces and, for the first time, the Galwan region got militarized and remains so even today. He warned of the consequences of overlooking national security in the time of tension and called for a reconsideration of economic dependence on China and domestic manufacturing and infrastructure to mitigate the fragilities and ensure economic security.
On the relations between India and other countries, Jaishankar said the relations are on the bright side with India-Russia on mutual economic benefits and cooperation on resources. He lamented that manufacturing and infrastructure were abandoned because of the creation of red tape and bureaucracy, resulting in growth and job loss.
He stated that India was clear on POK being an integral part of India, while Article 370 has been used as a tool for violence and separatism.
On the world platform, Jaishankar said India managed the geopolitical conflicts adroitly and India's role in the world is well respected despite the fluidity in the international order. He said India performed well economically during the pandemic and underscored the necessity for skill development to retain talent in the country. He warned against foreign dissection and called for introspection and also highlighted the capacity of the nation for self-assessment and improvement.
Jaishankar rounded off the tour by praising the diplomatic efforts of India in the COVID-19 crisis, referencing successful collaborations with the US and Russia in combating the pandemic and facilitating international aid efforts.
Later, addressing another event, Jaishankar praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's diplomatic efforts, especially for the evacuation of citizens during crises like the Ukraine conflict, and India's proactive and compassionate global engagement.
Read also | Delhi Metro Pillars Defaced with Pro-Khalistan Graffiti, Police Register FIR
