EAM says China don’t observe written agreements, a cause of concern

Anjali Sharma

GG News Bureau
WASHINGTON DC, 8th March. External Affairs Minister Jaishankar on Thursday said that after 45 years, there was no bloodshed on the India-China border but things changed in 2020 as he stressed New Delhi’s own situation vis-a-vis China.

He noted that the reality of power shifts in the Indo-Pacific, Jaishankar referred to China and said that it is a cause for concern when a country does not observe written agreements with a neighbor.

Jaishankar said there are political and strategic consequences of “very big shifts” in capabilities, influence, and ambitions of nations in the Indo-Pacific and one has to “deal with that reality”.

“And today we can disagree on many things, but when a country, sort of, does not observe written agreements with a neighbor, then I think you have cause for concern, because it then raises a question mark about the stability of the relationship, and frankly, about intentions,” EAM Jaishankar said in response to a question.

He acknowledged that with shifting global dynamics, India’s balance with other countries is changing as well and the challenge lies in creating “new equilibriums in a less frictional manner”.

Jaishankar said the government is focused on strengthening the border infrastructure and that there has to be an “equilibrium” in Sino-India relations.

He stressed on China adhering to border management pacts and maintaining peace along the Line of Actual Control to ensure smooth ties.

His remarks came weeks after the 21st round of the India-China Corps Commander Level Meeting, seeking complete disengagement in the remaining areas along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh as an essential basis for the restoration of peace and tranquility in the border areas.

According to a Ministry of External Affairs release both sides agreed to maintain communication through relevant military and diplomatic mechanisms and also committed to peace and tranquility on the ground in the border areas.

He noted that a border standoff erupted between the them on May 5, 2020, after a violent clash in the Pangong lake area with relations reaching a low point.

Both sides completed the disengagement process from several areas in 2021 after extensive diplomatic and military talks.