Asserting that India has a 'very challenging' and 'competitive neighbour' in China, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar said on Saturday that New Delhi needs to be patient but persevering while dealing with the East Asian nation.
Speaking at a media conclave, the Minister agreed that the relationship became much more complicated after 2020 but said that "it was building up over a period of time".
"I agree (that) since 2020, the relationship has become much more complicated. I accept that. But it was building up over a period of time... We weren't honest about it even to ourselves. We weren't really articulating it, and frankly, even strategising accordingly," Jaishankar added.
On being asked how he intends to tackle the challenge as the country gears up for its April-May general elections, the EAM said that the first thing India needs to do vis-a-vis China is to "stop pretending that everything is nice, stop being worried to express what we feel, and stop using terminology, which doesn't work for us".
"The first thing is we've got to recognise today that we have a very challenging, competitive neighbour. There are serious issues... over a period of time in our history. Many of those issues have not been resolved, some have aggravated," the Minister added.
He further highlighted that in addition to boundary issues, the two nations have major economic issues as well, and while dealing with China, "you got to have an economy which is geared up for it".
Following the June 2020 clash of troops in Galwan Valley, India and China have held several rounds of military talks, seeking complete disengagement in the areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh as a basis for restoring peace and tranquillity in the border areas.
Army Chief General Manoj Pande has called the situation along the LAC "stable" but "sensitive," adding that the Indian troops have been maintaining a "very high state" of operational preparedness to deal with eventualities.
As a counter-deployment, India has amassed a large number of troops along the LAC to guard the strategically important India-China border.
EAM Jaishankar told the media conclave that the focus in the military discussions has been on disengagement, followed by de-escalation.
"... there are all the dangers associated with that. Both of us are very forward-deployed. This is not where, in the last many decades, was a natural deployment," he said.
"... when you are deployed that close-up, there are patrolling issues, obstruction issues, workaround issues -- all of which add up to very complicated metrics," he said, adding that it "clearly is something where we have to be patient but also very persevering".
2 CRPF personnel killed in attack by armed group in Manipur
Two Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel, including a Sub Inspector, were killed and two others have been injured after armed groups attacked a camp of security forces in Manipur’s Bishnupur district early on Saturday, police said.
Land subsidence leaves 350 people homeless in J&K’s Ramban District
Over 350 people in Jammu and Kashmir’s (J&K’s) Ramban District abandoned their homes on Saturday after destruction of the houses due to land subsidence.
Houthi leader vows to continue maritime attacks, calls Indian Ocean 'new theatre of confrontation'
Abdul Malik al-Houthi, the leader of Yemen's Houthi group, has vowed to continue its naval operations in the Red Sea, rejecting media reports suggesting a decrease in Houthi maritime attacks, the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported.
Second phase of Lok Sabha polls sees enthusiastic voter turnout from Jammu to Kerala, Maharashtra to Tripura
The BJP, holding a significant number of seats in this phase, considers these elections crucial for maintaining and expanding its influence to secure a substantial majority in the Lok Sabha.
EC suspends 26 Tripura govt staff for taking part in political events, violation of poll code
The Election Commission (EC) has so far suspended 26 Tripura government employees, including security personnel, for participating in political events, election campaigns, and violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC),
Massive crowd greets PM Modi in Bareilly roadshow
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held a massive roadshow in Bareilly to garner support for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Chhatrapal Gangwar.
Police revolver among large cache of arms seized from Sandeshkhali, claims CBI
A Colt official police revolver was among a large cache of firearms seized by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) from a house at Sandeshkhali in North 24 Paragans, the CBI claimed in a statement issued on Friday evening.
DMs, SPs of violence-hit MP districts transferred
The farmers agitation entered its eighth day on Thursday. The peasants have been on strike since June 1, demanding loan waiver and fair price for their produce.