India-China ties 'abnormal' due to border agreement violations: S Jaishankar
What's the story
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar has said India wants to strengthen its relations with all countries, adding ties between India and China fall into a different category because of their current "abnormal" nature, PTI reported. He noted it was an outcome of Beijing's violation of border management agreements. Jaishankar was speaking at an event in the Dominican Republic during his first official visit.
Context
Why does this story matter?
India and China have been involved in a border conflict since 2020 because of differences over the Line of Actual Control (LAC). A conflict in Ladakh's Galwan Valley in June 2020 allegedly resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers—the worst clash in over five decades. Meanwhile, PM Narendra Modi's government has repeatedly refuted reports that China invaded Indian territory and built military infrastructure.
Statement
What exactly did EAM S Jaishankar say?
At a diplomatic school on Friday, Jaishankar said, "Whether it is the US, Europe, Russia, or Japan, we are trying to ensure that all these ties advance without seeking exclusivity. "China falls in a somewhat different category because of the boundary dispute and the currently abnormal nature of our ties." "That is an outcome of a violation of agreements regarding border management by them."
Quote
India's global impact outcome of independent business, mobility: Jaishankar
Jaishankar claimed that the competitive component in Sino-Indian ties comes due to the concurrent emergence of both countries. According to him, the rise of India's potential global impact is the outcome of "autonomous forces" like business or mobility.
Global
Jaishankar's take on global engagement, country's current, future roadmaps
EAM Jaishankar also highlighted India's engagement with Latin America and the country's current and future roadmaps. "India's most pressing priorities are obviously in its neighborhood. Given its size and economic strength, it is very much for the collective benefit that India takes a generous and non-reciprocal approach to cooperation with smaller neighbors," he said while highlighting PM Modi's contribution, too.
Neighbors
On contrasting relations with neighboring countries Pakistan, Sri Lanka
Jaishankar also talked about unstable relations with neighboring Pakistan due to alleged cross-border terrorism despite a dramatic expansion in cooperation across the region. "Whether it is the COVID-19 challenge or more recent debt pressures, India has always stepped up for its neighbors," he said, citing the case of Sri Lanka, where India extended more than $4 billion-worth economic support during the nation's economic crisis.