India too big & strong to be insecure: EAM

S Jaishankar says India is a $3trillion economy and fifth largest in the world, so capable of overcoming challenges

- Bala Chauhan

THE instability in the world is a challenge to national security and the Modi government is making every effort to address it, said the External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar while responding to a question on the current global situation in the face of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the Chinese expansionist manoeuvres on India’s eastern borders and the Indian Ocean. “India is a $3trillion economy and the fifth largest economy in the world. We should not doubt ourselves and feel insecure. We are big and strong enough to overcome challenges,” said Jaishankar in an exclusive with Bala Chauhan. Excerpts:

How would you define India-China relationship with Beijing’s continued aggression on our eastern borders and now in the Indian Ocean?

India-China relationship is very tense and it could turn into a dangerous situation because of the border issue. The relationship between us cannot be normal under the present circumstances. Despite 16 rounds of commander-level talks between us on the Chinese disengagement along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh the issue remains unresolved. The Indian Army has been holding its ground for the past two winters, which shows our resolve on standing our ground. We have made some substantial progress in terms of the troops pulling back from places, where they were very close. There are still some places, where they have not. We have consistently maintained our position that if China disturbed peace in the border areas it will have an impact on our bilateral relationship with them.

Where does India stand in relation to its neighbourhood, which is not very comfortable presently? Has the unprecedented economic crisis in Sri Lanka, the Chinese aggression, a hostile Pakistan and an unstable Afghanistan placed India in a vulnerable situation?