Jaishankar lists 8 principles to repair strained ties with China

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday outlined eight principles to repair strained relations between India and China that included strict adherence to all agreements on border management, fully respecting the LAC, showing sensitivity to each other’s interests, and making peace and tranquillity along the frontier basis for advancing overall ties.

He also mentioned three “mutuals -- mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interests” as determining factors for the ties which, he said, came under “exceptional stress” following last year’s events in eastern Ladakh as he referred to China’s massing of troops in the region.

“Any expectation that they can be brushed aside, and that life can carry on undisturbed despite the situation at the border, that is simply not realistic,” he said delivering the keynote address at the 13th All India Conference of China Studies.

He said the India-China relationship is truly at a crossroads today and choices that are made will have profound repercussions, not just for the two nations but for the entire world. In criticism of China, Jaishankar said the developments in eastern Ladakh have “profoundly disturbed” the ties because they not only signalled a “disregard” for commitments about minimising troop levels, but also showed a willingness to breach peace and tranquillity.

“Significantly, to date, we have yet to receive a credible explanation for the change in China’s stance or reasons for massing of troops in border areas. It is a different matter that our own forces have responded appropriately and held their own in very challenging circumstances,” he said.

“The issue before us is what the Chinese posture signals, how it evolves, and what implications it may have for the future of our ties,” Jaishankar added. Giving a clear perspective of India’s approach in dealing with China, the minister said the development of ties can only be based on “mutuality”, whether it is immediate concerns or more distant prospects.

Talking about experience of the past, he said it showed the importance of stabilising ties even while adjusting to changes.