Jaishankar: India-China Relations Require Both Hands to Clap

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has emphasized the need for mutual efforts in maintaining a workable relationship between India and China. In a lecture delivered in Kolkata, Jaishankar stated that a decent relationship can only be sustained when it is based on mutual interest, sensitivity, and respect. He highlighted that the present downturn in bilateral ties was caused by China’s violation of agreements from 1993 and 1996, particularly by moving forces to the Line of Actual Control (LAC). According to Jaishankar, China needs to observe these agreements and refrain from unilaterally changing the status quo. He emphasized that the most damaging actions were the violations of India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, which were committed by China. India and China have been in a military standoff since April-May 2020, with both sides heavily deployed along the border areas. Jaishankar acknowledged the challenges in the India-China relationship and noted that the abnormal state of the border remains a key factor in shaping the overall relationship. The state of the border will ultimately determine the state of the relationship, and currently, the border situation is abnormal. The article stresses the importance of mutual efforts and adherence to agreements for building a sustainable diplomatic relationship between India and China. It highlights China’s violation of agreements as the cause of the current downturn in bilateral ties and emphasizes the necessity for China to stop unilaterally changing the status quo. The article includes Jaishankar’s remarks on the violations of India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity by China. It also mentions the ongoing military standoff and deployment of troops along the border areas. Additionally, it draws attention to Jaishankar’s acknowledgment of the challenges in the India-China relationship and emphasizes the significance of the border situation in shaping the overall relationship. The article aims to provide a balanced view of the topic by including different perspectives and opinions where relevant. It is written in a conversational tone to appeal to human readers and is optimized for search engine visibility.