China a unique problem and not just for India: EAM Jaishankar
India isn’t against investments from China or doing business with companies from there, but it’s common sense to have the investments scrutinised because there is a “general China problem”, external affairs minister S Jaishankar said on Saturday.
“It has never been the government’s position… But on the investment issue, it is common sense that investments from China would be scrutinised. I think the border and the state of relations between India and China call for it,” Jaishankar said at a session on ‘New India's Risks, Reforms, and Responsibilities’ at The Economic Times World Leaders Forum.
China in many ways is a unique problem because of its distinct political and economic systems, and it’s not just a problem for India, he said. “We are not the only country that is having a debate about China. Go to Europe, and ask them what is today among your major economic or national security debates? It’s about China. Look at the US. It's obsessed with China, and rightly so in many ways. So, the fact is, let's not make out as though it's only India which has a China problem,” the minister said.
“Decades ago, the world decided to overlook problems in China. Now everyone has a problem. India has a special China problem over and above the world’s China problem… the sensible thing to do is take precautions which a country like India should be taking,” he said.
Even Europe and the US, which do not have a border with China, are carefully examining investments from China, he said. “The issue is not, do you have investments
