Updated: December 13, 2020 8:28:11 am
Minister of Foreign Affairs S Jaishankar
Foreign Minister S Jaishankar said on Saturday that the current military clash with China in eastern Ladakh is the result of Beijing not following existing agreements, that the “real danger” is that “goodwill, which was developed so carefully, it will dissipate “with this.
He said that he would not venture to predict a possible resolution, but that India will rise to the occasion to meet the national security challenge.
Speaking at an event organized by the FICCI business association, Jaishankar said that it is difficult to predict when it comes to national security issues, “so I will not go into the prediction zone, will it be easy or not and what will the timelines be? , etc. ”. But, he said, “this year’s events have raised some very basic concerns. They have happened because the other party did not comply with the agreements we have had with them about respecting and observing the Line of Real Control and not bringing forces to the Line of Real Control ”.
He likened it to “dealing with someone who has violated the terms of a contract … and in a very substantial way.” The minister said: “I also think that what has actually happened is not in China’s interest, because it has had a significant impact on public sentiment.”
Jaishankar said that throughout his career he has witnessed the evolution of how Indians view China. “A lot of work had been invested in the relationship of both parties. I don’t think this year’s events have helped at all. I think the real danger is that the goodwill that was so carefully developed will dissipate. But also (I would say) that we are being tested. I am confident that we will rise to the occasion (and) meet that national security challenge. But beyond that, at this point, I would really, frankly, keep my own advice. “
Speaking of the US elections and what a Joe Biden administration could mean for India, Jaishankar said they are “quite unique” because “what happens in America has an impact on all of us.”
He said that now there are debates in the United States that did not exist before, and one of the “interesting debates is whether this United States at this time should really have an industrial policy,” since “the free enterprise system in the United States is quite allergic to the idea of an industrial policy ”.
“The other is technology,” he said. “The role of big technology: There is an international debate about it, but there is a very vigorous American debate, about how big big technology should be allowed to become …”
In his conclusion of the Biden administration coming into office, Jaishankar said: “I would say that vis-à-vis the world, aside from security issues and political influence, a big question for them is how do they hold the United States? competitive. The other big question is how they face the challenge of climate change, in which many of them have a very passionate belief. “
“Where we would be in relation to America’s priorities,” Jaishankar said, is what will make the difference. “It would be natural for the United States to look at the world and evaluate countries… Where does this country or these sets of players fit into my game plan? And my sense is today, in key aspects of the relationship, certainly when it comes to security and defense, when it comes to economic issues, especially competitiveness, I think India can make a big difference….
He said, “Today, the relationship is on such a different level that, in my opinion, the only place you should go is upstairs.”
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