S Jaishankar, the External Affairs Minister of India, stated on Tuesday that tensions with China are likely to persist until military forces are withdrawn from the border. He pointed out that China breached agreements to maintain a peaceful border in 2020. His comments were made during an event hosted by the Carnegie Endowment in the U.S. Since 2020, India and China have faced territorial disputes following Chinese incursions into various regions, including the Galwan Valley and the Finger area near Pangong Lake.
Regarding India-China relations, he explained, “Our relationship with China is extensive, but in short, we had agreements for a peaceful border, which were violated by China in 2020. The current military deployments have led to ongoing tensions, which will persist until these deployments are resolved. Continued tensions naturally overshadow the broader relationship, indicating that our interactions haven’t evolved positively over the last four years.”
Despite multiple rounds of military and diplomatic talks, the India-China border standoff remains unresolved. Jaishankar noted that China constitutes around 31-32% of global manufacturing, highlighting that this rise is due to the international community’s, particularly the West’s, choice to engage with China for mutual benefits over the decades.
When discussing India’s strategic outlook regarding China, he indicated that collaboration with China is unavoidable in trade and manufacturing, as many products and components are sourced from there due to their affordability. He emphasized that trade with China operates independently of the political relationship, and thus, it must be carefully considered in terms of what is being traded, as some countries may be more sensitive to their exposure.
He expressed confusion over the focus on data security within borders while paying less attention to data that leaves the country. In today’s technology-driven world, it is crucial to assess and mitigate risks associated with international exposure, especially concerning data flows.
In August, India and China conducted the 31st meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) in Beijing, reaffirming their commitment to maintaining peace along the border as per prior agreements. Both sides had constructive discussions regarding the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and agreed to enhance diplomatic and military communication to resolve outstanding issues promptly. They underscored that restoring peace and tranquility, as well as respect for the LAC, is vital for normalizing bilateral relations.
