Can't cooperate with China in other areas amid tensions at LAC: Indian foreign minister Jaishankar

New Delhi: India-China relationship is at a crossroads. The future of bilateral relations depends on whether the Chinese side will adhere to the consensus reached to establish peace and harmony on the border, said External Affairs Minister Jaishankar. The Indian foreign minister reiterated the stance to China once again that New Delhi cannot think of cooperating with Beijing in other areas as long as violence and tensions continue on the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

India had recently authorised some companies to conduct 5G trials. However, these did not include Chinese companies. After that, China started a hue and cry over it that it was being denied an opportunity in India. Chinese leaders claim India can maintain economic and other cooperation with China even as talks on border disputes continue. However, India appears to have rejected China’s demand.

While addressing an event, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar slammed China. Jaishankar said while the border is being encroached upon, India would not be able to maintain cordial relations with China. “India-China relations are at crossroads. The direction they go depends entirely on China. A consensus was reached between the two countries in 1988 to maintain peace and harmony on the border. If China is ready to adhere to the consensus, cooperation between the two countries can resume,” Jaishankar explained.

In a stern warning to China, Indian MEA appears to have reiterated India’s stand that cooperation in other areas cannot be sustained while tensions continue at the border. China is still unwilling to withdraw its troops from some regions near the LAC in Ladakh. Therefore, although tensions on the LAC have eased to some extent, the threat has not been averted, the Indian Army chief had said. To add to it, China is holding military exercises near the LAC and attempting to mount pressure on India increasingly.

India, through various avenues, is sending the message to China that Beijing’s military movements will not affect India, although these will undoubtedly affect the cooperation between the two countries.