The minister of external affairs, calling the “events” along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) very disturbing, said they have raised some very “basic concerns”.
India was being tested in the seven-month-long border standoff with China in eastern Ladakh, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Saturday, but also expressed confidence it will rise to the occasion and meet the national security challenge.
S Jaishankar, speaking at an interactive session at the FICCI’s annual general meeting, also said that what has happened in eastern Ladakh was not actually in China’s interest as it has significantly impacted public sentiment in India.
The minister of external affairs, calling the “events” along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) very disturbing, said they have raised some very “basic concerns”.
Mr Jaishankar, when asked whether it will be a long-haul or a breakthrough is expected soon, said: “I would not go into prediction zone at all whether it is going to be easy or not, and what will be the timelines and so on.”
“I also believe that what has happened is not actually in the interest of China. Because what it has done is — it has significantly impacted public sentiment (in India). Professionally, I have seen the evolution of how the Indian public feels about China over the last many decades and I am old enough to remember much more difficult days, especially in my childhood and in my teens,” he said.
A lot of work had gone into developing the relationship on both sides, Mr Jaishankar said.
“I do not believe that the events of this year have helped at all. In fact I think the real danger is that the goodwill which was so carefully developed will dissipate.”
“But I also would say that, yes, we are being tested. I have every confidence that we will rise to the occasion; we will meet that national security challenge. But beyond that, at this time, I would really frankly keep my own counsel,” Mr Jainshankar added.
Since early May, the armies of India and China are locked in a tense border standoff in eastern Ladakh. Though both sides have held multiple rounds of military and diplomatic talks, no breakthrough has been achieved yet.
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