No relation between QUAD nations and India-China border issue: EAM S Jaishankar
Stating that the QUAD nations have come together on a common agenda while the India-China border issue, he said, it has pre-existed upon, in many ways, it's a challenge, a problem, which is quite independent of the QUAD.
FollowNew Delhi: In the backdrop of ongoing tension between two neighbouring countries, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said that he doesn’t see any connection between the grouping of four countries, also called as “QUAD” and the India-China border standoff.
Stating that the QUAD nations have come together on a common agenda while the India-China border issue, he said, it has pre-existed upon, in many ways, it's a challenge, a problem, which is quite independent of the QUAD.
Making it clear that the QUAD is a set of convergence and worldview, he said its agenda includes maritime security, connectivity and in the last year, it also included vaccines, even education.
The grouping includes India, the US, Australia and Japan, was formed to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific. In the previous few years, the region has witnessed increasing Chinese military assertiveness.
In reply to a question on QUAD’s role in border standoff with China at the Qatar Economic Forum, he said, “I think when it comes to Quad and the India-China border issue, we're talking apples and oranges, I'm not quite sure I'd really see a tight connection, because I'll tell you why, the quad is four countries who have come together on a common agenda.”
The two Himalayan giants have involved in a border standoff along the Line of Actual Control at a multiple locations in the eastern Ladakh over a year now. However, after a several round of military, diplomatic and political talks, the two forces have disengaged from Pangong Tso areas in February this year.
Still 60,000 troops from both sides have been deployed along the border areas with China in the Ladakh region. So far 11 round of talks have been held between the Corps Commanders of two armies. India has been pressing for the discussion on other friction locations, including Hot Spring, Gogra and Depsang.
Replying on India-China border issue, he said, “And there are two big issues there (Ladakh) right now. One of course is that the close up deployments still continue, especially in Ladakh. The issue there is whether China will live up to the written commitments which are made about both countries not deploying a large armed force at the border. And the larger issue really, whether we can build this relationship on the basis of mutual sensitivity, mutual respect and mutual interest.”
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