Lagatar24 Desk
New York: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar acknowledged India’s “difficult history” with China, highlighting ongoing border tensions and the need for further de-escalation. Speaking at the Asia Society Policy Institute in New York, Jaishankar clarified that when he mentioned that 75% of the border dispute has been resolved, he was specifically referring to disengagement at friction points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). However, he stressed that other challenges, including patrolling rights, remain unresolved.
“We have a difficult history with China. During the COVID-19 pandemic, China violated our agreements by deploying large forces to the LAC, leading to clashes and casualties on both sides,” Jaishankar said, adding that this incident has overshadowed the broader bilateral relationship.
While the disengagement process has been managed, the minister emphasized that “the next step will be de-escalation,” underscoring the need to resolve ongoing patrolling issues.
India’s Strategic Gulf Relations
Jaishankar also spoke about the significant transformation in India’s relationship with Gulf nations over the past decade. He pointed to the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), which seeks to enhance trade and connectivity by linking the Atlantic to India. The IMEC, along with plans to connect to the Pacific through Myanmar via the Trilateral Highway, underscores India’s growing strategic influence in global trade routes.
By the end of the decade, Jaishankar projected that “land-based connectivity all the way from the Atlantic to the Pacific” could be a reality, marking a new era in India’s economic and geopolitical strategy.
