Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla has said that dialogue was the only way to resolve the huge crisis between India and China at the LAC in eastern Ladakh.
India and China are in a middle of a standoff over unlilateral attempts by China to change the status quo at the Line of Actual Control in the eastern Ladakh (File photo for representation purpose)
Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla on Friday said that the standoff between India and China on the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh was of a huge magnitude and that the only way forward was through diplomatic and military dialogue.
Addressing the Indian Council of World Affairs via video conferencing, Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla said, “Magnitude of the crisis is huge given that we had not lost lives in 40 years. We are engaged in the diplomatic and military channels. Dialogue is the only way forward. But we are resolute and firm in protecting our sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
The foreign secretary said that it cannot be business as usual between India and China until the issue is resolved. “The situation between India and China is unprecedented. It cannot be business as usual till China does not address the unilateral change in the status quo.”
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FS @harshvshringla on #IndiaChinaStandoff
Situation between India and China “unprecedented”
It cannot be “business as usual” till China does not address the unilateral change in status quo.@ICWA_NewDelhi pic.twitter.com/Fgtq6TEYmp— Geeta Mohan (@Geeta_Mohan) September 4, 2020
During his address, the foreign secretary also raised the issue of terrorism India faces from across the border. With naming Pakistan, Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla said, “Terrorism is another big challenge for India. We face cross border terrorism. Sponsors of terrorism should not be allowed to use international platforms such as the United Nations Security Council and FATF to politicise the issue.”
Harsh Shringla highlighted that India has been extending humanitarian assistance and disaster-relief ops well beyond our immediate neighbourhood. “We have taken on the responsibility of net security provider in the neighbourhood and beyond,” he said.
The foreign secretary pushed for the Aatma Nirbhar Bharat and said that the world will soon see a change in hard and soft power balances.
Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla also spoke on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement, which India exited recently. Justifying the move, the foreign secretary said, “When we seek exclusive, preferential trade agreement, the only environment in which we will engage is if it’s in our national interest. We have withdrawn for now. Don’t know if we will consider it in the future. This [agreement] did not suit our national interest.”