S Jaishankar was in an interactive session at a conference in Slovakian capital Bratislava
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Friday that India has a difficult relationship with China but it is “fully capable” of managing it, dismissing the European build-up that New Delhi’s position on Ukraine has with Beijing. As problems escalate, global support could be affected.
Jaishankar insisted that there was no connection between India’s position on Ukraine and its issues with China, adding, “The Chinese do not need precedent elsewhere in the world on how to engage us, or not involve us.” Be done or be difficult with us, or don’t be difficult with us”.
In an interactive session at a conference in Slovakian capital Bratislava, Jaishankar said Europe has to break out of the mindset that its problems are the world’s problems but the world’s problems are not Europe’s problems.
Jaishankar’s stern remarks came amid repeated attempts by European countries to take India hard on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, arguing that New Delhi may face growing challenges from China in the future.
Jaishankar said, “We have a difficult relationship with China in terms of the relationship you are building and we are fully capable of managing it. If I get global understanding and support, then obviously it will help me. Is.”
“But the idea that I make a transaction – I get into conflict one because it will help me in conflict two – is not how the world works. A lot of our problems in China have to do with Ukraine— Don’t give and it has nothing to do with Russia. They pre-determine it,” he said. Jaishankar was asked why he thought anyone would help New Delhi in terms of the problem with China, while it did not help others on Ukraine.
“Somewhere Europe has to break out of the mindset that Europe’s problems are the world’s problems, but the world’s problems are not Europe’s problems. If it’s you, it’s yours, if it’s me it’s ours.” I see reflections of it.” They said.
‘No need to engage in any pivot for India’
When asked about the axes of the US and China, which one India would prefer, the foreign ministers said that it is not necessary for India to be involved in any axis.
“I don’t think it’s necessary for me to be involved in this pivot or not, and if I’m not getting involved, I’ll have to stick with the other one. I don’t accept that,” he said.
He said whether India has a fifth of the world’s population, is the fifth or sixth largest economy, and it is entitled to stand its ground, weigh its interests and take a position based on its interests.
Jaishankar said that relations are being built between China and India and what is happening in Ukraine.
He said, “There were China and India long before anything happened in Ukraine. The Chinese don’t need precedent anywhere else on how to include us or how not to engage us or be difficult with us or difficult with us.” Don’t be.”
“I don’t see this clearly as a very smart argument, a very selfish argument. India will choose after weighing the situation,” he said. Jaishankar said that Europe is also silent on many developments in Asia.
‘Why would anyone trust Europe with anything’
“If I were to take Europe collectively, which alone has been silent on many things, for example in Asia, you might ask why anyone in Asia would trust Europe on anything,” he said.
Jaishankar said India condemns the killings in Ukraine’s Buka and supports its investigation.
“First of all you are misrepresenting our position, for example when Buka happened, we condemned Buka and we actually asked for investigation of Buka,” he said in response to a question.
“In the context of what is happening with the Ukraine conflict, our position is very clear that we are in favor of an immediate cessation of hostilities. Not that we have ignored it unless you (Vladimir) Putin And do not call (Volodimir) Zelensky. Something, “he said.
Jaishankar on Ukraine, Russia and China
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called on President Zelensky of Ukraine and Russian President Putin on the crisis. On China, Jaishankar said India is passing through a particularly difficult period in its relations with China.
With reference to the Eastern Ladakh row, he said, “We had differences in the past but we have never had such a situation … after 1962, where agreements not to bring forces to the border have been disobeyed.”
“A huge number of forces have been brought to the border, we have clashed, people have been killed and it happened two years ago,” he said.
He said it was a “useful reminder” to Europe that there were other things happening in the rest of the world that Europe might not have paid enough attention to.
Jaishankar said the conflict in Ukraine is causing massive fuel crises, food crises and fertilizer crises, leading to inflation in low-income societies.
“Ukraine is a major concern because of the interconnected nature of the world,” he said.
Jaishankar said the conflict in Ukraine has to end, a group of people have to include the players and there must be a collective interest to find a solution, adding that “the people will need us”.
Asked whether India is sitting on the fence on major global affairs, he said: “I don’t think we are on the fence just because I don’t agree with you.”
He said that India has been a part of tackling all the big challenges like climate change, green technology and counter terrorism. He said a lot is happening outside Europe and the world cannot be as Euro-centric as it used to be.
Read also: Indo-Pacific is future, not past: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar