EAM Jaishankar calls China a ‘unique problem’ at ET World Leaders Forum
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar described China as a “unique problem” that extends beyond India, underscoring that the international community shares similar concerns. Speaking at the ET World Leaders Forum on Saturday, Jaishankar criticized the global tendency to overlook the distinctive nature of Chinese production and its competitive advantages over the decades.
“China is a unique problem because it has a unique polity and economy. It’s not just an Indian problem. If today people are complaining about trade deficits with China, it is because decades ago, we all consciously chose to overlook the nature of Chinese production and the advantages that they enjoyed in a system where they got a level playing field with all the advantages that they brought to bear,” Jaishankar stated. He emphasized that the issue of China is global, not isolated to India alone.
Jaishankar highlighted that Europe and the United States are similarly preoccupied with China. “Go to Europe and ask them what is today among your major economic or national security debates? It’s about China. Look at the United States, it’s obsessed with China, and rightly so in many ways,” he said.
Turning to India’s neighbours, Jaishankar addressed the complexities of regional politics. He made a subtle reference to Bangladesh and Pakistan, noting that the political shifts in these neighbouring nations can be disruptive. “Relationships with neighbours are very complicated. They are all democratic polities. Governments will change, and there will be political debates in their country. Often, we will be the centre of those debates. It’s natural as we are a big country,” he explained.
Jaishankar stressed the need for India to navigate these changes carefully, particularly with Bangladesh. “Since Bangladesh’s independence, our relationship has gone up and down, and it is natural that we will deal with the government of the day. But we also have to recognise that there are political changes, and they can be disruptive. And clearly here we have to look for mutuality of interest,” he said during the release of Ambassador Rajiv Sikri’s book, “Strategic Conundrums: Reshaping India’s Foreign Policy.”
Regarding Pakistan, Jaishankar was blunt about the future of Indo-Pakistani relations. “I think the era of uninterrupted dialogue with Pakistan is over. Actions have consequences. And insofar as Jammu and Kashmir is concerned, I think Article 370 is done. So the issue today is what kind of relationship can we possibly contemplate with Pakistan? Whether events take a positive or a negative direction, either way, we will react to it,” he asserted.
Jaishankar’s remarks provide a clear insight into India’s foreign policy stance amidst complex regional and global dynamics.
