India's stand on China: 'Not just clear, very confident,' asserts EAM S Jaishankar

livemint.com:

Hindustan Times' R Sukumar and Shishir Gupta, Jaishankar emphasised the Modi government’s leadership in navigating complex international scenarios and underscored India’s clear and confident positions on global issues, with a specific focus on China. Addressing the situation with China, Jaishankar explained that both nations remain forward deployed along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), with increased troops and weaponry since 2020. He attributed the escalation to China’s initial actions, which India responded to in kind.

The focus now, he said, is on resolving patrolling issues and de-escalating tensions, ensuring that both countries return to their traditional patrolling patterns. “The situation on the LAC is that both of us today remain forward deployed, which means we are deployed well ahead of our traditional bases and camps," Jaishankar stated. “Secondly, we are deployed in very much larger numbers than we deployed before 2020.

They did it first, we responded to it, so they are responsible for it." Jaishankar praised the Modi government’s “experienced, sober, practical, grounded but courageous" approach to foreign policy, urging voters to support Prime Minister Narendra Modi for continued stability. He noted that foreign policy has become increasingly relevant to domestic audiences, with citizens showing growing interest in international issues and India's global standing. Jaishankar also criticised past Indian leaders, particularly Jawaharlal Nehru, for their handling of territorial disputes with China.