SYDNEY: India had a “very difficult” two-and-a-half years in its relations with China, including the first bloodshed on their border in 40 years, Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar said here on Tuesday, but he insisted he kept the communication line open with Beijing because neighbors have to deal with each other.
Jaishankar made the remarks in response to questions after his address at the Lowy Institute on the growing importance of India’s ties with Australia and the interests of the two countries as members of the security-focused Quad.
“But our effort, my effort, has been to keep the communication lines running. In fact, the morning after, I called my counterpart Wang Yi and urged him to ensure that there was no swift move or complicated move on the Chinese side. No,” said the minister, who was the Indian ambassador to China from 2009 to 2013.
“Diplomacy is about communication. It’s not just in relation with China, even with respect to (other countries)… If diplomats don’t communicate with each other, how can they? Will you do diplomacy?” In the end, the countries will have to deal with each other, Jaishankar said.
India has consistently maintained that peace and tranquility LAC important for the overall development of bilateral relations. Indian and Chinese armies have held 16 rounds of Corps Commander level talks to resolve the standoff.
Jaishankar made the remarks in response to questions after his address at the Lowy Institute on the growing importance of India’s ties with Australia and the interests of the two countries as members of the security-focused Quad.
“But our effort, my effort, has been to keep the communication lines running. In fact, the morning after, I called my counterpart Wang Yi and urged him to ensure that there was no swift move or complicated move on the Chinese side. No,” said the minister, who was the Indian ambassador to China from 2009 to 2013.
“Diplomacy is about communication. It’s not just in relation with China, even with respect to (other countries)… If diplomats don’t communicate with each other, how can they? Will you do diplomacy?” In the end, the countries will have to deal with each other, Jaishankar said.
India has consistently maintained that peace and tranquility LAC important for the overall development of bilateral relations. Indian and Chinese armies have held 16 rounds of Corps Commander level talks to resolve the standoff.