Jaishankar highlights India’s “Special China problem,” calls for scrutiny of investments and trade imbalances
- In Reports
- 07:43 PM, Aug 31, 2024
- Myind Staff
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Saturday highlighted India’s unique challenges with China, emphasising that the border situation and bilateral relations require heightened scrutiny of investments from the neighbouring country. While the world faces general concerns with China, he asserted that India’s “special China problem” demands attention in particular.
Jaishankar acknowledged concerns about the trade deficit with China, noting that India shares these complaints. He explained that this imbalance stems from decisions made decades ago, where India "consciously overlooked the nature of Chinese production and the advantages which they enjoyed in a system where they got a level playing field with all the advantages they brought to bed." This, he suggested, has contributed to the current trade disparities between the two countries.
“China in many ways is a unique problem because it is a unique polity, it is a unique economy. Unless one tries to grasp that uniqueness and understand it, the judgements, the conclusions and the policy prescriptions flowing out of it can be problematic,” he stated at the ET World Leaders Forum during a session named ‘New India’s Risks, Reforms and Responsibilities’.
“There is a general China problem. We are not the only country in the world which is having a debate about China. Go to Europe, and ask them what is among their major economic or national security debates today. It is about China. Look at the United States (of America). It is obsessed with China, and rightly so in many ways,” Jaishankar said.
“Once you understand that because there is a general problem with China as well as our own situation, all of you know we have a very difficult situation at the border for the last four years. I think the sensible response to it is to take the precautions that a country like India is taking,” he stated.
However, he provided clarity that the government never said it would stop inviting investments from China but added that such investments will be heavily scrutinised.
“On the investments issue, it is common sense that investments from China would be scrutinised, I think the border and state of relations between India and China call for it,” Jaishankar said.
Jaishankar emphasised that India’s challenges with China are unique, stating, “It is not only India which has a China problem.” He further clarified, “India has a China problem… a special China problem that is over and above the world’s general China problem.”
Image source: PTI
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