Border tensions must not obstruct Indo-China cooperation

Beijing: Indian External Affairs Minister had recently said that this century could not be known as the century of Asia unless cooperation is established between India and China. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China has also confirmed it. But to establish this cooperation between the two countries, India needs to make efforts in the same direction as China, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China has warned. Chinese analysts also urge that the border dispute between India and China should not become an obstacle to cooperation between the two countries. At the same time, China reports that ongoing efforts to resolve border disputes are effective.

Moreover, in his lecture at a university in Thailand, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar stated that the 21st century could not be known as the century of Asia unless cooperation is established between India and China. At the same time, the relations between India and China are strained, Jaishankar also stated in clear words. By citing China’s expansionist activities as responsible for it, Jaishankar clarified in his lecture that peace and harmony would not be established in both countries unless China’s expansionist experiments on India’s border are stopped.

However, China’s foreign ministry has selected some of the statements from Jaishankar’s lecture and expressed its agreement. India and China are countries with ancient civilizations and both large countries are also economically influential. Therefore, for the development of Asia or Asia-Pacific, it is essential for India and China to come together, claimed Wang Wenbin, the spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Wenbin has said that India should make efforts in the direction of China’s efforts. In other words, Wenbin suggests that India should adopt a role acceptable to China.

Some of Jaishankar’s statements are also being welcomed in the Chinese media and Chinese analysts are acknowledging the need for cooperation between India and China. At the same time, China’s analysts also hope that border tension between the two countries should not come in the way of this cooperation. But India has taken a clear stance in this regard and cooperation cannot be established when fifty to sixty thousand soldiers are standing in front of each other on the border of both countries. External Affairs Minister Jaishankar made China aware that maintaining harmony on the border is a prerequisite for bilateral cooperation. This is precisely the issue that China is ignoring.