Neither India nor China gained anything from the tension of the last four years: S. Jaishankar – Dainik Savera Times

New Delhi: In the backdrop of the border dispute with China in eastern Ladakh that has been going on for almost four years, Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar said that “nobody has gained anything” from the “tension” during this period. Jaishankar said India is committed to finding a “fair and appropriate solution”, But it must be a solution that respects agreements and recognizes the Line of Actual Control. During a discussion at an event on Monday evening, he said that India has “never closed its doors for talks with Pakistan, but the issue of terrorism should be at the center of honest talks.”

Jaishankar, who recently returned from an official visit to South Korea and Japan, shared his views on a range of issues ranging from the changing nature of diplomacy to the changing global order during the ‘Express Adda’ in New Delhi. Later he also answered questions from a cross section of diplomats, businessmen, academicians, entrepreneurs, journalists and people interested in knowing about foreign policy. When asked what proposals the Chinese side had offered in the past to resolve the border issue and whether there ever was a situation when they felt the issue could actually be resolved, the minister said, “Every country that is negotiating border disputes has to believe that there will definitely be a solution to it.” When asked whether the current government would “get more seats (in Parliament)” then would it agree on this issue? But will be more empowered to talk”, the Union Minister interjected, adding, “For me, the fairness of India’s land and border resolution has nothing to do with the number of seats…either A compromise is either good or not good. The issue today is not whether you have a political majority or not. The issue is whether you have a fair agreement on the negotiating table or not.” Former Foreign Secretary Jaishankar also answered some audience questions on India-China relations.

He said, ‘I think it is in our common interest that there should not be such a large number of forces on the Line of Actual Control. I think it is in our common interest that we should abide by the agreements that we have signed. The tension that we have seen for the last four years has not benefited either of our countries. Jaishankar said, ‘So, I really believe that the sooner we resolve this, the better it will be for us. It would be good. I remain committed to finding a fair, just solution but that solution must be one that respects the agreements, recognizes the Line of Actual Control and does not seek to change the status quo. I think it will be good for both of us.

There was a standoff on the eastern Ladakh border on May 5, 2020, following a violent clash in the Pangong Lake area. Jaishankar also answered questions related to India-Pakistan relations. He also answered whether India would be ready for talks if Pakistan approached. He said, ‘We have never closed our doors for talks with Pakistan. The question is what to talk about… if someone has such a large number of terrorist hideouts… then that should be the center of talks.” When asked if talks could be held with the Pakistani Army. , so he said, “Things don’t work like that.”

He said, ‘As I said we never closed our doors for talks with Pakistan… but the issue of terrorism should clearly be at the center of the talks. This is the main issue… I am not saying that there are no other issues but I am not going to avoid this issue just for the sake of talking.” One person asked whether India’s policy towards the US has any impact on China. Has there been any impact on Russia’s policy? In response to this, Jaishankar said, “If Russia and China have come closer then it is not an issue… India has nothing to do with it.” This may or may not be a result of the situation in which Russia finds itself compared to the West… Our policy towards Russia has been very fair, very objective.” He said, ‘If no central authority And there is a very fragmented system, many other problems arise. This situation creates fertile ground for many illegal activities…”