"Boundary has to be stable": EAM Jaishankar sets out India's stand on China ties; economic issues
EAM S Jaishankar stresses that border stability is essential for normal India-China relations and discusses economic trade imbalances.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has delivered a firm message regarding India's relationship with China, stating that peace and stability along the border are non-negotiable prerequisites for the normalization of bilateral ties.
"Boundary has to be stable": Jaishankar sets out India's stand on China ties
Speaking at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in Delhi, the External Affairs Minister emphasized that any disturbance in the border areas would have direct and visible consequences for the broader relationship between the two nations. He noted that the current push towards normalcy is contingent upon maintaining the peace that has recently begun to settle in the border regions.
A Profound Departure from Decades of Peace
Jaishankar highlighted the historical context of the friction, pointing out that for a significant period, the border remained relatively peaceful. He noted that from 1975 until 2020—a span of 45 years—no blood was shed on the border, a period during which India-China relations actually saw growth.
However, he described the events of 2020 as a "profound departure" from that long-standing status quo. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, a series of border issues culminated in violent clashes that resulted in fatalities for soldiers on both sides. "If the peace and tranquillity in the border areas are disturbed, then the relationship will have consequences," Jaishankar remarked, noting that it took four years of intense negotiations to restore stability.
The Condition for Normalcy
The Minister made it clear that India's stance is rooted in common sense. He explained that for the rest of the bilateral relationship to progress, the boundary situation must remain stable.
- Stability First: A stable boundary is a prerequisite for broader diplomatic and economic movement.
- Progressive Resolution: As border areas have settled to a great extent since 2024, the relationship is moving commensurately toward normalcy.
- Direct Consequences: Previous disturbances led to visible diplomatic and economic shifts that lasted years.
Decoupling Investment from the Border Dispute
When questioned about whether India would allow increased Chinese investment through an "early harvest" agreement, Jaishankar clarified that India is not linking business to the border resolution in a restrictive way. Instead, he suggested that the "bar is lower"—the primary requirement is simply the maintenance of peace.
He stated that while discussions regarding investment and market access are active, these policy matters will be dealt with separately from the boundary issue. "We are not insisting that you have to solve the boundary issue in order to do business. What we are saying is: the bar is lower. The bar is: please maintain peace and tranquillity," he explained.
Addressing the Trade Imbalance and Market Access
Beyond the territorial disputes, the External Affairs Minister raised significant concerns regarding the economic architecture of the India-China relationship. He pointed to a deeply skewed trade balance that favors China heavily.
Jaishankar highlighted two major economic grievances:
- One-sided Trade Tilt: The current bilateral trade balance is extremely imbalanced, favoring Chinese exports.
- Lack of Level Playing Field: While India provides access to its markets, Indian businesses face significant hurdles in accessing the Chinese market, even in sectors where India is globally competitive.
"We do believe today that we're not getting a level playing field in China in the manner in which we have given a level playing field to them," the Minister concluded, underscoring that economic fairness remains a critical component of the evolving bilateral dynamic.