New Delhi, Delhi:
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has delivered a clear message to China, stating that peace and stability along the border are the foremost and fundamental conditions for normalising and improving bilateral relations between India and China. He said that the direction of relations between the two countries depends significantly on the situation in the border areas.
Jaishankar said that tensions persisted in India-China relations from the summer of 2020 until the autumn of 2024, mainly due to the prolonged border standoff. However, following agreements related to Depsang and Demchok in eastern Ladakh, new opportunities for diplomatic engagement have emerged, raising hopes for greater stability in bilateral relations.
He said that India must engage confidently in trade with China and all other countries around the world. In an era of global competition, India needs to further strengthen its manufacturing capabilities and economic power. A strong and self-reliant India, he said, will be better positioned to compete with major global powers on equal terms.
Commenting on relations between the United States and China, the External Affairs Minister described their relationship as complex, noting that while the two countries are competitors, opportunities for cooperation also exist in several areas. India, he said, evaluates every global equation and foreign policy decision based on its national interests.
Commenting on Pakistan, Jaishankar said that it represents a distinct example of the systematic and sustained use of terrorism. Regarding relations with Bangladesh, he said that for any relationship to succeed, it must meet the test of mutual interest.
