EAM Jaishankar addresses border issue with China, speaks on relations with US, Russia

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday highlighted concern over prevailing situation at border with China, describing it as "still abrmal". Speaking about ongoing tensions between two neighbouring countries, EAM called country a "significant neighbour", emphasising need for diplomatic efforts to restore stability and maintain peaceful relations. 

Speaking at India International Centre, Jaishankar said that state of border with China continues to be unsettled, indicating a persistent lack of rmalcy in region. " difficult one on big st has obviously been China. And I would say it's a subject on which I have spoken and spoken publicly before. At end of day, for us, we recognise it's a neighbour, it's a big neighbour. It's today a very significant ecomy and significant power. But at end of day, any relationship has to be based on a high degree of mutuality," he said.

"re has to be respect for each or's interests, sensitivity for each or's interests, and re has to be an adherence to agreements which were reached between us. And it is that departure from what was agreed between us, which is today at heart of difficult phase that we are passing through with China. And bottom line re is at end of day, state of border will determine state of relationship. And state of border today is still abrmal," EAM added.

EAM speaks on India's relations with US and Russia

In a table comparison between India's diplomatic relations with China and United States, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar expressed that ties with latter have been remarkably strong. He highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent state visit to US, describing it as most fruitful visit by an Indian PM.

Ackwledging challenging global landscape and polarization of international politics, Jaishankar emphasised exceptionally positive nature of India's relations with United States. "Today, it's a very polarised world, and global st is so much more challenging... Our relations with United States are exceptionally well. We have had most productive visit in history... We have moved into a positive domain with US for shaping world for common purposes," he said.

" attention being given to Europe is remarkable... big issue before us is concluding Free Trade Agreement... We are more hopeful than ever before," he added.

Regarding India's relationship with Russia, Jaishankar characterised it as very strong and cautioned against diminishing its importance. Despite periods of turbulence, Jaishankar asserted that India has maintained a steady and robust partnership with Russia. He criticised reducing relationship to solely defence dependencies and underscored upswing in ecomic aspects of bilateral ties.

"Our relations with Russia have been kept steady despite all turbulence. We have made our own evaluation over years regarding importance of this. It is a mistake to dumb down ties with Russia to just defence dependences. We have an upswing in ecomic part of our relations with Russia," he said.

(With inputs from ncies)