RAJNATH SINGH MENTIONS CHINA AT 2+2 MEETING

One of the most remarkable statements emerging from the just concluded 2+2 meeting between India and US defence and foreign ministers was made by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. He called out China in no uncertain terms by saying, “...The India-US defence relationship has evolved into a strategic partnership characterised by mutual trust, shared values, and a growing recognition of common interests in maintaining regional and global security.

- Joyeeta Basu

We increasingly find ourselves in agreement on strategic issues, including countering China’s aggression, promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific, and addressing regional security challenges.” This is remarkable candour, apart from being well thought out, since Rajnath Singh was reading from a written speech and not speaking extempore. It shows how India’s China policy has evolved over the years—from trying to appease one’s opponent to clearly identifying one’s own interests and protecting these. It is also a shift away from the Indian establishment’s—rather, the foreign policy establishment’s usual practice of maintaining a “strategic silence” on matters of global import, thus leaving too much to be read between the lines.