China’s Influence on Neighbors Shouldn’t Cause Fear: EAM S Jaishankar

China's Influence on Neighbors Shouldn't Cause Fear: EAM S Jaishankar

VoM News Desk | January 30, 2024 | 06:41 PM IST | Bangladesh, China, India, World | Follow on Google News

China’s Influence on Neighbors Shouldn’t Cause Fear: EAM S Jaishankar/ANI

China’s Influence on Neighbors Shouldn’t Cause Fear: EAM S Jaishankar

Navigating Regional Dynamics: S Jaishankar on China’s Influence in Neighbouring Countries

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar addressed concerns about China’s influence in India’s neighbouring countries, emphasizing the need for a pragmatic approach. Speaking at an interactive session at the Indian Institute of Management, Mumbai, Jaishankar acknowledged that China would influence neighbouring nations and advocated for viewing it as “competitive politics” rather than a failure of Indian diplomacy.

Competing in Global Politics

Jaishankar urged India not to be fearful of China’s influence and to recognize global politics as a competitive game. While acknowledging China’s efforts to shape regional dynamics, he stressed that India should welcome competition and compete effectively. The minister highlighted that being a major economy, China would deploy resources to influence countries in its way, and India should respond by competing rather than complaining.

India’s Track Record in Neighbourhood Assistance

Citing the example of India’s assistance to Sri Lanka during a severe economic crisis, Jaishankar underscored India’s track record of helping its neighbours. He mentioned the importance of anticipating, assessing, and responding to challenges in the region. Despite political differences, he emphasized that neighbours ultimately need each other, driven by the powerful forces of history and geography.

Trust in Indian Diplomacy Amidst Challenges

Addressing concerns about the ‘India Out’ campaign in the Maldives, Jaishankar called for trust in Indian diplomacy. He acknowledged that every country faces challenges in its neighbourhood and emphasized the role of diplomacy in managing relationships. Sharp political positions, he noted, don’t always align with diplomatic actions, and at the end of the day, neighbours have interdependent relationships.

Maldives’ Recent Developments

The comments come in the backdrop of the Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu’s request for the withdrawal of Indian military personnel and the announcement of a Chinese ship docking at a Maldivian port for replenishment. Jaishankar’s pragmatic stance aligns with the complexities of regional geopolitics, urging India to actively engage and compete rather than retreat in the face of growing influence from China.

VoM News Desk

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