External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has clearly stated that India is discussing with China some steps to mend a very badly disrupted relationship post 2020 but peace and tranquility in border areas is imperative.
“We want a stable relationship but we want a relationship where our interests are respected, where our sensitivities are recognized, where it works for both of us. So, I think, that has really been the challenge in the relationship. And obviously for us because of the border-the management of the border- the assumption for the last 40 years has been that there must be peace and tranquility in the border areas if the relationship is to grow. If the border is unstable, is not peaceful or is not tranquil, obviously, it will have consequences on the growth and direction of the relationship,” he said while replying to an online question after a Chatham House conversation with Bronwen Maddox, Director and Chief Executive Officer of London based think tank.
Jaishankar was asked whether India sees an opportunity for better relations with China in a multi-polar world.
Offering an explanation regarding the disruption in ties with China, he said, “Look, there was a certain context on why relations between India and China were disrupted and the context was what China did along the Line of Actual Control in 2020 and the situation which continued after that. In October 2024, we were able to resolve many of the urgent, the pending issues pertaining to that- what we call disengagement of troops who had been deployed upfront. After that, there was a meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi in Kazan and I have met Foreign Minister, Wang Yi. Our National Security Adviser and our Foreign Secretary have visited China and we are discussing with China some steps to see how the relationship can go in a more predictable, stable and positive direction. One of the steps which you did not mention. So, let me- to your three questions add a fourth one- which was -the resumption of pilgrimage to Mount Kailash which is in Tibet– which Hindu pilgrims have been going to for ages. So, the resumption of pilgrimage, the direct flights between the two countries, the journalist issues- all these are being discussed. But, there are some other issues. For example, we had a mechanism about trans border rivers. That mechanism had stopped to meet because the relationship was very badly disrupted after 2020. So, we are looking at this package. People tasked with this mandate are dealing with each other. Obviously, we would like to see it done sooner rather than later and then we will see what happens after that.”
A lady journalist from South China Morning Post, packed three questions in one to know about Modi’s attendance at the SCO Summit, resumption of direct flights between China and India, absence of journalists of both countries on the ground and difficulties in getting visas.
Another person online asked if India sees an opportunity for better relations with China in a multi-polar world.
Jaishankar who has also been India’s Ambassador to China used the global platform to emphasize that peace on the border is a pre condition for growth in India China ties.
” What kind of relationship do we want with China? Look, we actually have by any standards a very very unique relationship with China. First of all, we are the only two billion plus populated countries in the world. Both of us had a very long history. We have had ups and downs in our history. Both countries are on an upward trajectory today and it so happens that we are actually direct neighbors.”
He went on to highlight the challenge. ” The challenge is that when two countries of this size, this history, this complexity, this consequence rise broadly in parallel and they obviously have an interplay with each other, the issue is how to you create equal equilibrium and then transition to the next stage of equilibrium.”
