India-China ties going through extremely difficult phase: Jaishankar

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Minister of External Affairs S. Jaisankar said on Thursday that the relationship between India and China was experiencing a “very difficult phase” after what Beijing had done on the border and emphasized that the Asian century would not occur if the two neighbors could not join hands.

He made a statement while responding to a series of questions after giving a lecture about ‘Indian vision of Indo-Pacific’ at the prestigious Chulalongkorn University here.

Responding to a question, Mr. Jaisankar said that the Asian century would occur when China and India unite but it would be difficult if India and China could not unite.

At present the relationship [India-China] is experiencing a very difficult phase after what China is doing at the border,” he said.

Chinese and Indian troops were involved in a prolonged deadlock in East Ladakh. Both sides have so far held 16 rounds of talks on the level of the Corps Commander to resolve the deadlock that erupted on May 5, 2020, after a clash of violence in the Lake Pangong area.

I think that if India and China have to gather, there are many reasons to do it, it doesn’t have to be only Sri Lanka, “he said, adding that it was Indian and Chinese interests themselves to join hands.

We really hope that the wisdom arrives at the Chinese side,” said the Minister of Foreign Affairs while answering another question from the audience.

Jaisankar said India had done the best of her ability to help Sri Lanka. This year alone India has extended $ 3.8 billion in support for Sri Lanka, including credit channels and SWAP arrangements, he said.

Every assistance we can give to Sri Lanka at IMF [International Monetary Fund] which we will naturally do,” said Mr. Jaisankar.

Regarding Rohingya refugees, he said this problem had been discussed with Bangladesh. “What is important for them is repatriation. We have supported Bangladesh,” he said.

At present, Bangladesh has more than 1 million Rohingya refugees, who fled from Myanmar after military operations against them a few years ago.

Responding to another question, the Minister of Foreign Affairs rejected criticism because it imports Russian oil discounts, said India was not the only oil importing country.

US and European countries have imposed severe sanctions against Russia since Moscow sent troops to Ukraine on February 24.

India has collected oil imports from Russia after the Ukraine War despite criticism from the West and continues to be involved with Moscow for business.

Mr. Jaishankar, who arrived here on Tuesday, benefits the 9th Indian-Thailand Commission meeting with his Thai colleague and Deputy Prime Minister Don Pramudwinai on Wednesday where they discussed advancing bilateral contact in politics, economics, security and defense, connectivity and health domain.