Congress Questions Govt’s Approach to China After Jaishankar’s Beijing Visit

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh Tuesday raised questions about the government’s approach to China following External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s visit to Beijing, where he met with senior Chinese leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

The visit, which took place after a five-year gap, was aimed at discussing bilateral relations and maintaining peace along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

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Jairam Ramesh pointed out the government’s seemingly inconsistent approach to territorial disputes, saying, “When Nepal violates our territorial integrity, the government is quick to react. But when China intrudes into our territory, the government’s voice is muted.”

Ramesh emphasised the need for the government to strike a balance between economic relations with China and ensuring national security.

During his visit, Jaishankar discussed ways to improve bilateral relations and maintain peace along the LAC with Chinese leaders. The meetings touched on topics such as border disengagement, resuming direct flights, which have been suspended since the COVID-19 pandemic, and cooperation in international forums.

The India-China relationship has been strained since 2020, when tensions escalated along the LAC. Despite these tensions, both countries have engaged in diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation and maintain peace in the region. Jaishankar’s visit is part of these ongoing efforts to improve bilateral ties.