Due to Beijing’s violation of border management accords, relations between India and China are “abnormal”: Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has stated that India wants to make sure that its relations with all nations develop without pursuing exclusivity. He also emphasised that China falls into a slightly different category due to the current “abnormal” nature of relations as a result of Beijing’s violation of border management agreements.

In addition to the border issues, there are other factors that have contributed to the strained relations between India and China. These include concerns over China’s increasing assertiveness in the region, particularly in the South China Sea, and its growing economic and military ties with Pakistan, India’s long-standing rival.

Indian External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, has acknowledged that the current state of relations between India and China is abnormal due to these various factors. However, both countries have expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue to address their differences and improve their relations.

India has been criticising China for violating agreements on border management by stationing a sizable number of troops and acting aggressively near the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh.

This week, India made it clear to China that breaking the border agreements has “eroded” the foundation of their bilateral relations and that any disputes over the border must be settled in accordance with the existing agreements.

“Across the region, connection, relationships, and cooperation have dramatically increased. Pakistan is obviously the exception given cross-border terrorism. However, India has always stood up for its neighbours, whether it be during the COVID challenge or more recent debt pressures, the speaker said, citing the example of Sri Lanka, where India provided more than $4 billion in economic assistance during the island nation’s worst economic crisis in decades.

India, according to Mr. Jaishankar, is expanding the idea of expanded neighbourhoods in all directions. This has taken the form of what New Delhi refers to as “the Act East Policy” with regard to ASEAN, which has created a road to a greater engagement with the Indo-Pacific that is being pursued.

He stated that the two nations finished discussions on a joint economic and trade cooperation (JETCO) mechanism and expressed hope that it would serve as a venue for ongoing meetings to discuss potential for economic and commercial cooperation between the two sides.