On May 28, speaking at an event at Anant National University, Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized that New Delhi has been and continues to strengthen relations with neighboring countries, while noting that there are complex challenges coming from China.
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| Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar. |
In his speech on the theme “Modi’s India: A Rising Power”, Foreign Minister Jaishankar said the complex challenge from China that New Delhi has faced has been “very clear” in the border areas over the past three years.
Noting that both countries must find a balance in their bilateral relationship, but that cannot be on the other's terms, the diplomat stressed that the Indian government has taken steps to ensure that there are no attempts to unilaterally change the status quo in the border areas with China.
“If peace and tranquility between the two countries is disturbed, their relationship cannot help but be affected,” Foreign Minister Jaishankar said.
According to Mr. Jaishankar, if India sees mutual respect, sensitivity and concern - considered the foundation of a relationship - it can think of better relations with China, but if it does not see that, it needs to stand up for its interests and firmly assert its opposition and unfortunately, "that is the current situation".
Also in his speech, Mr. Jaishankar affirmed that India has been and is continuing to strengthen relations with neighboring countries such as Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan, while New Delhi's current connections and perceptions in the neighborhood have changed.
Referring to the major strategic shift in the Indo-Pacific region, India's foreign minister said: "What's happening there is very worrying for us. At the same time, there are other major changes taking place, including the rise of China, the US has become much more cautious about its own commitments."
According to Jaishankar, the Quad member countries are discussing maritime cooperation, infrastructure connectivity, 5G and vaccines, among other issues. India is also interacting with a group of countries such as Israel, the US and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
“Under Prime Minister Narendra, we are not just thinking about tomorrow, not even about the next term. We are thinking beyond that. And in many ways, without exaggeration, we are laying the foundations for a global footprint today,” he declared.
He asserted that India's rise has a very special significance in the world because it is the only rise that can be compared to China's.
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