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Key Highlights of today's Keynote Address by Hon'ble @DrSJaishankar at Inaugural Session of 13th All India Conference of China Studies( #13AICCS). At outset, EAM expressed his appreciation to @ics_delhi & @csc_iitm for organising Conference & wished a productive discussion ahead
There is a need to invest more deeply in the study of China. China's salience in global order, esp. in recent decades & its being an immediate neighbour make it an even more compelling case. Both nation have similarities, in size and history & interesting contrast in many ways.
Both are in process of building a modern nation state from a civilizational society & their parallel rise in contemporary era, albeit at a different pace & intensity, is a relatively unique happening in history. In sum, there is much to research, reflect & assess in this domain
While, it is to 
's advantage to have solid expertise on 
in , it is much broader than a strategic reqmt. With growth of&in recent decades, it is inevitable that both countries have greater interaction, as seen in trade, finance, tourism, culture & think-tanks & academia
's advantage to have solid expertise on in , it is much broader than a strategic reqmt. With growth of&in recent decades, it is inevitable that both countries have greater interaction, as seen in trade, finance, tourism, culture & think-tanks & academia
Exchanges are facilitated by informed understanding of Chinese polity & society. However, while policy benefits from a wider pool of expertise & talent, it is essential that China Studies domain has a sound grasp of policy both to influence one's insights & to shape expectations
After the 1962 conflict, both countries exchanged Ambassadors only in 1976 & the first PM -level visit to China after 1954, happened in 1988. The re-building of ties was a painstaking & arduous endeavour which is a paradox as India was amongst the early nations to recognize PRC
Quality of ties was impacted by bdr. conflict & recovery had to be orchestrated. Nevertheless, interactions have grown steadily &is one of 's largest trading partners. A complex but practical set of agreements focused on border management while boundary negotiations continued
is one of 's largest trading partners. A complex but practical set of agreements focused on border management while boundary negotiations continued
Advancement of ties was predicated on ensuring peace & tranquillity & respect for LAC by both sides. For this reason, it was explicitly agreed that both countries would refrain from massing troops on their common border & there was understanding on handling situations of friction
In subsequent years, there was no progress on arriving at a common understanding of LAC alignment & creation of border infrastructure increased, esp. on side. Since 2014, while there have been efforts by to reduce this gap, the differential remains significant & consequential
side. Since 2014, while there have been efforts by to reduce this gap, the differential remains significant & consequential
Despite differences, border remained peaceful. Before 2020, last loss of life was in 1975. China is yet to provide credible explanation for events in E. Ladakh, which was responded adequately. Issue is what Chinese posture signals, how it evolves & their implications for future
Even before 2020, bilateral relations witnessed coop. & competition. While, trade, investment, edn. & tourism grew, there were divergences, egs., stapled-visas, oppn. to Indiaโs membership of NSG & permanent seat in UN Security Council & violation of Indian sovereignty by CPEC
Both nations agreed at Astana in 2017 not to allow differences to become disputes & endeavour to enhance factors of stability in relationship. Subsequent summits affirmed that consensus, but the events of 2020 have actually put India-China relations under exceptional stress.
At present, there are no definitive answers to where relationship is heading. Devp. of ties can only be based on ๐๐ต๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฒ ๐บ๐๐๐๐ฎ๐น๐: mutual respect, mutual sensitivity & mutual interests. Expectations for relations to be undisturbed despite bdr. situation are unrealistic
The past has taught us the importance of stabilizing our relationship while adjusting to changes & can provide guidance which can be summed up by ๐ฒ๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐ ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฝ๐น๐ฒ๐
1. Agreements already reached must be adhered to in their entirety, both in letter and spirit.
1. Agreements already reached must be adhered to in their entirety, both in letter and spirit.
2. LAC must be observed & respected; any attempt to unilaterally change status quo is unacceptable.
3. Peace & tranquillity in border areas & progress in boundary negotiations are basis for devp. of relations in other domains. Their disturbance will affect rest of relationship
3. Peace & tranquillity in border areas & progress in boundary negotiations are basis for devp. of relations in other domains. Their disturbance will affect rest of relationship
4. While both nations are committed to multi-polar world, there should be a recognition that a multi-polar Asia is an essential constituent.
5. Each state has its own interests, concerns & priorities; sensitivity to them cannot be one-sided. Relationships betn. states reciprocal
5. Each state has its own interests, concerns & priorities; sensitivity to them cannot be one-sided. Relationships betn. states reciprocal
6. As rising powers, each will have their own set of aspirations & their pursuit too cannot be ignored.
7. There will always be divergences & differences but their management is essential to our ties.
8. Civilizational states like India & China must always take the long view
7. There will always be divergences & differences but their management is essential to our ties.
8. Civilizational states like India & China must always take the long view
Ability of India & China to work together will determine Asian century & difficulties will undermine it. India-China relations are at crossroads & choices made will have repercussions for entire world. Respecting 3 mutuals & observing 8 principles will help make right decisions
