This recipe was described by foreign affairs experts by the Minister of Foreign Affairs S.P. Jaishankar has been called the “Jaishankar Doctrine” by foreign affairs experts, as some harsh messages have been sent to China by India in the recent past.
While India’s firm countermeasure against Chinese incursions during the 2020 Galwan standoff sent a categorical message across the border, Jaishankar’s strong words over the past few days were indicative of this ‘doctrine’.
Just two days ago, while the Indian community was in Uganda, Jaishankar said that forces who have been indulging in cross-border terrorism against India for decades now know that this is a “different India” which will give them a response, clearly indicating New Delhi’s renewed capabilities. To meet any national security challenges posed by China and Pakistan as well.
On the challenges India faces on its borders, Jaishankar said, “People today see a different India that is ready to stand up and an India that will face the challenges of national security whether it is Uri or Balakot.”
He was referring to the 2016 Uri attack by Jaish-e-Mohammed militants from Pakistan on an Indian Army brigade headquarters and the 2019 Balakot airstrike by Indian warplanes in Balakot, Pakistan against a terrorist training camp.
“Today, the powers that have indulged in cross-border terrorism against India for decades and which India has turned a blind eye to, now know that this is a different India and this India will answer them,” he said.
On the challenges faced by the regions along the Chinese border, Jaishankar said, “Over the past three years, in violation of agreements, the Chinese have brought in large forces.”
He added, however, that today the Indian army is deployed at very great heights and in very difficult conditions.
“This situation is different from the past because now the Indian soldiers have full support and they have the right equipment and infrastructure,” he said.
Last month while addressing a media event, Jaishankar said the country’s relationship with China was “difficult and abnormal”.
The situation in China is very fragile and the situation is very difficult. You can’t violate conventions and pretend everything is normal.
There will be no normal relations with China if border agreements are broken. You have to mutually agree to patrol certain areas. In the 1970s, we picked areas that we wouldn’t patrol.”
With time ticking by bytes, interesting days may seem to lie ahead in terms of Indo-China relations.
-IANS
answer / vd
