India’s relationship with China is ‘complicated’, says Foreign Secretary

While India terms its relations with China as “complicated”, ties with Pakistan still hinge on cross border terrorism.

Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar, at the East West Centre Conference here on Friday, expressed concern over China not supporting India’s membership bid at the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group (NSG) and blocking the government’s efforts to get Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar designated as a terrorist by the UN.

“India and China have complicated relationship. My sense is we should not ignore the collaborative or convergence side of that relationship … The report card of our ties for the last three decades is much stronger than many assume,” said Jaishankar.

He said India expects a partner like China to support its concerns in some of the crucial areas that are not in conflict with China’s interest.

“Terrorism is one such area and sanctioning of one such terrorist leader and organisations should not emerge as an issue of difference. Nor should reservations on developmental issues, such as India’s access to international cooperation and investments in the field of civilian nuclear energy,” he said.

Global impact He said bilateral ties between India and China have a huge potential and it has a profound impact on regional and global politics.

“The report card of our ties for the last three decades is much stronger than many assume. From a situation of limited contacts and content, India-China relations have today transitioned out of the state of abnormalcy,” he highlighted. On economic ties, the Foreign Secretary said market access continues to remain a bone of contention for the Indian companies, especially those in the areas of pharmaceuticals and IT.

“Fair market access in China itself remains an issue for Indian companies, including in globally competitive areas like pharmaceuticals and information technology.

He said the Indian government, on the other hand, has taken initiatives to strengthen ties with China ranging from inviting Chinese investments into the country, establishment of industrial parks by Chinese companies, collaboration of railways to granting a more liberal visa regime.

Pak and non-state actors Pointing towards Pakistan being a breeding ground for terrorism and its insistence on ‘non-state’ actors, Jaishankar said the differentiation between state and non-state actors has not gone out on the ground.

“There is a connect between state actors and non-state actors, which is why we use the word ‘sponsored’. The state cannot escape responsibility by saying it’s non-state,” he added.

He said in today’s world, there is a broad understanding about the threats posed by terrorism and a better sense of where it arises from.

'Support Dhaka's efforts' Jaishankar also batted strongly for international support to the Sheikh Hasina government in Bangladesh for its effort to ensure social stability to prevent terrorism.

He said the Bangladesh government should be supported for efforts to ensure a secular, pluralistic social fabric. Responding to a question on terrorism in Bangladesh, he said “there are concerns...and that’s why international community should support the government. This is not the time to be critical,” he said.

Jaishankar said India is not averse to co-operate with China on the “one belt, one road” (OBOR) connectivity plan.

New Delhi, he said, is already working with Beijing for BCIM (Bangladesh, China, India, Myanmar) connectivity that aims to revive a WW-II road.

However overall he felt connectivity proposals should be based on or subjected to “broader consultation” and must not be dictated.

Responding to complaints that India has been slow in implementing key connectivity projects like the India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway; Jaishankar said “We are trying to do it faster.”.

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