Foreign Minister S Jaishankar big statement on China, says- India-China relations at crossroads

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, referring to the East Ladakh deadlock, said that India-China relations are at the crossroads and its direction depends on whether the neighboring countries have peace on the border. Follows various agreements to maintain.

'East Ladakh incident impacts India-China relationship'

S Jaishankar said that in 1988, 26 years after the 1962 conflict, the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi visited China in order to agree on stability on the border. This was followed by two important agreements in 1993 and 1996 to maintain peace along the border. Addressing a webinar organized by the Financial Express and the Indian Express, the External Affairs Minister said that relations had expanded in several areas in view of stability on the border, but the incident in East Ladakh adversely affected it.

'The process of retreating troops should be completed soon'

Foreign Ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi said that the process of withdrawal of troops in Ladakh Area should be completed soon and complete peace in the border areas can only ensure progress in bilateral relations.

The deadlock started after violent clashes last year

Let us tell you that after the violent clash in the Pangong So area between the forces of India and China, the border deadlock occurred last year. After this, both sides deployed thousands of soldiers and heavy weapons. After military and diplomatic level talks, both sides withdrew troops and weapons from the northern and southern sides of Pangong So in February this year.

India-China relations stand at crossroads: S. Jaishankar

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister S Jaishankar said, 'I understand that the relationship is at a crossroads and its direction will depend on whether the Chinese side abides by the agreement, does it follow the agreements between us is. Last year, it became clear that cooperation in other areas could not continue with tensions on the border.

In response to a question about China increasing its influence in the region and competition between the two countries, Jaishankar said, "India is ready to compete and we have inherent strengths and influences that range from the Indian Pacific to Africa and Europe." He said, "Competing is one thing, but violence on the border is another." The foreign minister said, 'I am ready to compete. This is not the issue for me. The issue for me is on what basis should I keep the relationship organized when one party is violating it. '