Border disturbances can vitiate relations, India cautions China
23 Aug 2013 5:01 AM IST
As Chinese army incursions continue to recur, India has cautioned China that any disturbance of peace and tranquility in the border areas can vitiate the overall atmosphere of bilateral ties.
Speaking at a seminar on China-India ties here, Indian ambassador to China S Jaishankar stressed that any disturbance at the border will have an adverse impact on the public perception which is vital for improvement of bilateral ties.
In his speech titled, ‘Old Ties-New Model?’, he said, ‘today, constraints on conflict and confrontation are indisputable. It has put the focus on maintaining peace and tranquillity on the disputed border between India and China’.
The closed door seminar was organised by the New Delhi-based Observer Research Foundation (ORF) and China Foreign Affairs University Conference, in which strategic analysts from both sides took part.
It was held on 19 August but his speech copies were circulated to the media here on Wednesday.
Jaishankar reminded the audience of the comments made by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and defence minister AK Antony that emphasised on the importance of peace at the borders.
Jaishankar, who negotiated hard with the Chinese for the withdrawal of the People’s Liberation Army ( PLA) troops from Daulat Beig Oldi near Ladakh in April this year, said ‘this bears reiteration as there is concern that if stability or peace and tranquillity are disturbed, it can vitiate the overall atmosphere of our ties’.
‘We should never underestimate the importance of public perceptions in the shaping of international relations. A corollary is that both nations need to devote even more attention and energy to strengthening those aspects’, he said.
Jaishankar also said that it was important for China to address India’s concerns regarding Beijing’s plans to construct new dams on the Brahmaputra and other rivers that flow into India from the country.
‘New thinking requires that we go beyond narrow legalistic approaches. It is natural that as neighbours, India and China will be confronted with situations that call for a larger political vision’, the Indian envoy said.
Speaking at a seminar on China-India ties here, Indian ambassador to China S Jaishankar stressed that any disturbance at the border will have an adverse impact on the public perception which is vital for improvement of bilateral ties.
In his speech titled, ‘Old Ties-New Model?’, he said, ‘today, constraints on conflict and confrontation are indisputable. It has put the focus on maintaining peace and tranquillity on the disputed border between India and China’.
The closed door seminar was organised by the New Delhi-based Observer Research Foundation (ORF) and China Foreign Affairs University Conference, in which strategic analysts from both sides took part.
It was held on 19 August but his speech copies were circulated to the media here on Wednesday.
Jaishankar reminded the audience of the comments made by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and defence minister AK Antony that emphasised on the importance of peace at the borders.
Jaishankar, who negotiated hard with the Chinese for the withdrawal of the People’s Liberation Army ( PLA) troops from Daulat Beig Oldi near Ladakh in April this year, said ‘this bears reiteration as there is concern that if stability or peace and tranquillity are disturbed, it can vitiate the overall atmosphere of our ties’.
‘We should never underestimate the importance of public perceptions in the shaping of international relations. A corollary is that both nations need to devote even more attention and energy to strengthening those aspects’, he said.
Jaishankar also said that it was important for China to address India’s concerns regarding Beijing’s plans to construct new dams on the Brahmaputra and other rivers that flow into India from the country.
‘New thinking requires that we go beyond narrow legalistic approaches. It is natural that as neighbours, India and China will be confronted with situations that call for a larger political vision’, the Indian envoy said.
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