India’s External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar stressed the need for peace and stability in the border areas as a foundation for the growth of India-China relations. Speaking at Chatham House in London, Jaishankar stated that India seeks a stable relationship with China, where its interests are respected and its sensitivities recognized.
“The key issue is how to create a stable equilibrium and transition into the next phase of equilibriums. We want a stable relationship where our interests are respected, our sensitivities are recognized, and where it works for both of us. That is really the main challenge in our relationship,” Jaishankar said.
He pointed out that for the past 40 years, the assumption had been that peace and tranquility in the border areas were essential for the relationship to grow. “If the border is unstable, not peaceful, or not tranquil, it will inevitably affect the growth and direction of our relationship,” he added.
Jaishankar referenced the disruptions in India-China relations stemming from China’s actions along the Line of Actual Control in 2020. “There was a certain context for why relations between India and China were disrupted, and the context was what China did along the Line of Actual Control in 2020 and the situation which continued after that. Now, in October 2024, we were able to resolve many of the urgent issues, the pending issues, pertaining to what we call the disengagement of troops who had been deployed up front. So after that, there was a meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi in Kazan, and I myself met Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Our national security advisor and our foreign secretary have also visited China,” he said.
He noted ongoing discussions aimed at guiding the relationship in a more predictable and positive direction. “So, the resumption of pilgrimage to Mount Kailash, the direct flights between the two countries, the journalists’ issues— all these are being discussed, but there are some other issues. For example, we had a mechanism for trans-border rivers. That mechanism had stopped because the relationship was very badly disrupted after 2020. So we’re looking at this package… it’s hard. Obviously, we would like to see it done sooner rather than later. And then we will see what happens,” Jaishankar added.
Addressing the unique nature of India-China ties, Jaishankar highlighted the scale and complexity of the relationship. “We have a very unique relationship. First, we are the only two countries in the world with over a billion people. Both of us have a long history, with ups and downs over time. Today, both countries are on an upward trajectory; here is the challenge, and we are also direct neighbors. The challenge is that as any country rises, its balance with the world and its neighbors changes. When two countries of this size, history, complexity, and consequence rise in parallel, they interplay with each other,” he explained.
Jaishankar also addressed other global issues, including Kashmir, the internationalization of the Indian Rupee, the role of the dollar in the global financial system, and the perspectives of BRICS member countries on these matters.
Jaishankar’s official visit to the United Kingdom and Ireland from March 4 to 9 aims to strengthen bilateral ties with both nations. According to a Ministry of External Affairs release, India and the UK share a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, fostering cooperation in sectors like defense and security, trade and economy, health, education, and cultural exchange.