Relation With China Can’t Be Normal As Border Situation Not Normal: India On Ladakh Issue

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Friday said India has maintained its position that if China disturbs the peace and tranquillity in border areas, it will impact the relations between New Delhi and Beijing.

Speaking at an event in Bengaluru, Jaishankar also pointed out that India’s relationship with China is not normal and it cannot be normal as the border situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh is not normal.

“We have maintained our position that if China disturbs the peace and tranquillity in border areas, it will impact our relations. Our relationship is not normal, it cannot be normal as the border situation is not normal,” Jaishankar said.

“There was a violation of our territorial integrity and sovereignty, the fact that 3rd country is doing things on sovereign Indian territory occupied by another country. We have extensive connectivity projects with Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal,” he pointed out.

EAM Jaishankar also pointed out that China has disturbed peace and tranquility in border areas which will impact the bilateral relations between the two nations.

Earlier in the day, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) even described as “most uncalled for” China blocking a proposal at the UN Security Council to designate Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) deputy chief Abdul Rauf Azhar as a global terrorist.

Reacting to China’s move, EAM spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said India has noted with ‘regret’ that a “technical hold” has been placed on the proposal, adding the international community has been unable to speak in one common voice in fighting terrorism.

Earlier this week, China put a technical hold on the joint proposal at the UN Security Council by India and the US to designate the JeM leader, who is the younger brother of the group’s chief Masood Azhar.

(Vinayak)