New Delhi, Jan 02: India’s External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, has said that a realistic approach is needed to deal with China, asserting that the relationship should be grounded in three key principles – respect, sensitivity, and interest. In an interview with a National News Agency, Jaishankar discussed the importance of a pragmatic strategy to counter China’s assertive actions, criticizing the romanticism of the Nehruvian era.
“I argue for dealing with China from a basis of realism — that strain of realism, which I feel — strains all the way from Sardar Patel to Narendra Modi — that is the strain of realism which I feel should allow us to have a certain approach,” said Jaishankar.
The External Affairs Minister commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi for adopting a practical approach towards China, aligning with the strain of realism rooted in Sardar Patel’s principles. “I would say that the Modi Government has been very much more and in conformity with a strain of realism, which originated from Sardar Patel,” he stated.
Highlighting the disparity in the approaches of Sardar Patel and Jawaharlal Nehru, Jaishankar underlined their differing opinions. “Even when it came, for example, to the UN Security Council seat, it’s not my case that we should have necessarily taken the seat, it’s a different debate, but to say that we should first let China — China’s interest should come first, it’s a very peculiar statement to make,” said Jaishankar, addressing the divergence in Nehru and Sardar Patel’s realism.
Reflecting on the historical context of Sino-Indian relations, Jaishankar acknowledged the blend of realism and idealism in India’s foreign policy towards China. He stated, “It takes two hands to clap. I pose the issue in this manner if you look at the last 75 plus years of our foreign policy, they have a strain of realism about China and have a strain of idealism, romanticism, non-realism.”
Responding to queries about the possibility of improved relations between the two nations in 2024, Jaishankar delved into the concept of “Chindia policy”. The alternative strain which starts from Nehru’s China’s first policy — first let China take seat, then we will see for India. From China’s first policy, it ends up as Chindia policy.” “Chindia”, an idea that projects the joint rise of China and India and was promoted by Congress leader Jairam Ramesh who called for constructive cooperation and competition between the Asian giants in 2014.
“You should ask the inventor of the term,” said Jaishankar.
Addressing concerns about India’s current stance on China, Jaishankar clarified, “I don’t believe it’s a pivot we have taken, we have tried to construct a relationship which is based, as I say on three mutuals, and the fact is, unless that mutuality is recognized — this relationship will find very difficult to progress.”
Emphasizing that India-China relations are guided by respect, sensitivity, and interest, Jaishankar concluded by acknowledging the importance of understanding the Chinese policy for the future of bilateral relations. (Agencies)
