Before the military level meeting in Ladakh, S. Jaishankar says 'China will have to face'

New delhi date. Sunday, August 2, 2020

Amid ongoing tensions with China over the Ladakh border, a major statement by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has come to light. "We (India) have to be prepared to face China," he said. Jaishankar's statement came ahead of the fifth phase meeting with China. The discussion was previously canceled but is now resumed at 11 a.m. today.

On the China issue, S Jaishankar said it was not easy to strike a balance with China. India must oppose it and stand up to it. In his message to China, Jaishankar also clarified that his (China's) moves on the border are bound to affect trade. "The border situation and our relationship cannot be kept separate and that is the truth," he said.

Jaishankar's scathing statement comes at a time when China is not tired of its own moves. He talks of withdrawing his army to Ladakh but in reality it does not happen there. Because of this the fifth phase of the military meeting was canceled earlier but has now begun.

Changes in relations with America

The External Affairs Minister also spoke about India's relations with the United States. Relations with the US are changing, he said. India is no longer America's traditional ally but relations have improved. India's relations with China are bilateral. Estimates may be wrong if you look at it in terms of relations with America.