Our Relation With China Can't Be Normal As Border Situation Not Normal: India On Ladakh Issue

EAM Jaishankar also pointed out that China has disturbed peace and tranquility in border areas which will impact the bilateral relations between the two nations.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. (File Photo/ PTI)

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Friday said that India has maintained its position that if China disturbs the peace and tranquillity in border areas, it will impact the relations between New Delhi and Beijing. While speaking at an event in Bengaluru, Jaishankar also pointed out that India's relationship with China is not normal and it cannot be normal as the border situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in easterm Ladakh is not normal.

"We have maintained our position that if China disturbs the peace and tranquillity in border areas, it will impact our relations. Our relationship is not normal, it cannot be normal as the border situation is not normal," Jaishankar said, news agency ANI reported.

"There was a violation of our territorial integrity and sovereignty, the fact that 3rd country is doing things on sovereign Indian territory occupied by another country. We have extensive connectivity projects with Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal," he pointed out.

Furthermore, EAM Jaishankar also pointed out that China has disturbed peace and tranquility in border areas which will impact the bilateral relations between the two nations.

"We have maintained our position that if China disturbs the peace and tranquillity in border areas, it will impact our relations. Our relationship is not normal, it cannot be normal as the border situation is not normal," he added.

Earlier in the day, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) even described as "most uncalled for" China blocking a proposal at the UN Security Council to designate Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) deputy chief Abdul Rauf Azhar as a global terrorist.

Reacting to China's move, EAM spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said India has noted with 'regret' that a "technical hold" has been placed on the proposal, adding the international community has been unable to speak in one common voice in fighting terrorism.

Earlier this week, China put a technical hold on the joint proposal at the UN Security Council by India and the US to designate the JeM leader, who is the younger brother of the group's chief Masood Azhar.

"It is unfortunate that when it comes to our collective battle against terrorism, the international community has been unable to speak in one common voice," news agency PTI quoted Bagchi as saying.

The Chinese action came less than a month after Beijing blocked a similar joint proposal by India and the US to blacklist Pakistan-based deputy leader of Lashkar-e-Taiba Abdul Rehman Makki.

(With inputs from agencies.)