External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar recently characterized the relations between India and China as "highly complex," implying that both have to meet somewhere.
In a discussion with C Raja Mohan, a contributing editor at The Indian Express, at the launch of the foreign policy magazine India's World in New Delhi, Jaishankar said, "Eventually, it's in the interest of both India and China to reach an equilibrium. Conceptually, it's difficult to do because both are changing in absolute terms and vis-a-vis the world.
He elaborated on the changing dynamics, saying, "The world is changing, they (India and China) are changing, their relationship with the world is changing and their relationship with each other is also changing. In all these changes, how do you find equilibrium? It's not going to be easy.
We are still grappling with the short term, which is to focus on de-escalation. While disengagement has been worked out, there are other issues which confront us," he said on issues related to ongoing tensions along the LAC.
India and China have recently agreed on patrolling arrangements in October, as part of their efforts to find a solution to border disputes.
In reference to India-Russia relations in the background of pushback from the west in the wake of war over Ukraine, Jaishankar mentioned the importance attached to this relationship.
Russia is a quite singular part of India's foreign policy and a very important global power, if not even in Eurasia than something much more than that.
He said that neighbors themselves were strategic and added "In International Relations 101, your neighbour's neighbour has enormous value.
According to him, the growing economy of India will shape its foreign policy priorities. "Today, India is finding new convergences and intersections. A country like India at this stage of its growth, the resource powers of the world have to be our major partners. India's economic trajectory will put some premium on (its ties with) countries like Russia, Indonesia, Australia, or even Canada," he explained.
On India's relations with the US, Jaishankar commented, "As part of our relationship with the US, we have very honest conversations on where we agree and where we don't," and describing the partnership as "large and important."
He further observed relevance in Europe in matters relating to supply chains, AI, semiconductors, and digital exchanges when commenting that "there is a broad intersection which needs to be built upon.
Read also| India’s Space Economy Set to Triple in the Next Decade: Minister
