New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar blamed Beijing for having a rough patch in India-China ties saying that it disregarded the border pact and the Galwan valley standoff has cast the shadow on ties between both the countries.
Speaking at an Indian community event in Brazil’s Sao Paulo, Jaishankar said, “”We have agreements with China going back to the 1990s which prohibits bringing mass troops in the border area. They have disregarded that. You know what happened in the Galwan valley. That problem has not been resolved and that has been clearly casting a shadow.”
The Union Minister met the Indian community in Sao Paulo on the first leg of his three-nation visit. After Brazil, he will go to Paraguay and Argentina.
Speaking on the current border situation between India and China, Jaishankar said that a relationship cannot be a one-way street and mutual respect has to be there in order to sustain it. “They are our neighbours. Everybody wants to get along with their neighbours. In personal life and country-wise as well. But everybody wants to get along on reasonable terms. I must respect you. You must respect me.”
“So from our point of view, we have been very clear that we have to build the relationship and there has to be mutual respect. Each one will have their interests and we need to be sensitive to what the concerns are for others for a relationship to be built.”
Relations between India and China estranged following a standoff since April-May 2022 when the Chinese troops escalated at several points along the border line including the Finger Area, Galwan Valley, Hot Springs, and Kogrung Nala. The situation worsened after violent clashes with Chinese valley in Galwan Valley in June 2020.
“Relationships are a two-way street. A lasting relationship cannot be a one-way street. We need that mutual respect and mutual sensitivity. Right now it is no secret we are going through a very difficult phase,” Jaishankar added.