India-China relationship must be based on ‘three mutuals’ -mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest: Shringla

Development of India-China relationship has to be based on ‘three mutuals’ -mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest, Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla suggested on Wednesday ahead of 15th round of India-China commanders talk to end the standoff in Ladakh.

“We have made it clear to China that peace and tranquillity in the border areas is essential for the development of our relationship. Development of India-China relationship has to be based on ‘three mutuals’ – mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest,” Shringla recommended in his address at the Inaugural Session of the Training Module on India’s Neighbourhood, Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration.

India and China are set to hold the 15th round of military talks on March 11 to ease tensions in Ladakh, with the dialogue expected to focus on resolving outstanding issues at the remaining friction points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), officials familiar with the development said on Tuesday. The last round of Corps Commander-level talks was held on January 12.

Shringla’s address which focussed on India’s outreach to the neighbourhood also had references to Pak-sponsored cross-border terror. “Unfortunately, we must also contend with geo-political realities and extant threats such as cross-border terrorism and crime. We will be resolute in dealing with them. We will continue to expand our capacities to do so. We will build alliances and networks through multilateral and plurilateral constructs such as the UN, the FATF, SCO and closer home through BIMSTEC and IORA and IONS, to deal with security challenges.”

“While we desire a good relationship with Pakistan, it cannot be at the expense of our security.”

Referring to security challenges from the neighbourhood including Pakistan’s and China’s attitude Shringla said, “Physical proximity means that we often share solutions. It also means, unfortunately, that many of our major foreign policy and security challenges arise from the neighbourhood. You are all aware of the major problems such as cross-border terrorism, political volatility and instability, fundamentalist and radical ideologies, illegal movements across borders, narcotics, and arms trafficking. Some of our neighbours remain trapped in interpretations of history that do not allow them to adopt a progressive vision for the region.”

He also outlined India’s balanced policy towards Myanmar. “We remain engaged with Myanmar, a country with which we share a nearly 1700 km long border. In our engagement, we have emphasized India’s interest in seeing Myanmar’s return to democracy at the earliest. We remain committed to a relationship that provides for our cooperation with Myanmar in the areas of security, economy and humanitarian assistance.”

The Neighbourhood First Policy, at the instance of the Prime Minister, accords the highest priority to India’s relations with Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives, Myanmar, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, the Foreign Secretary noted. “It is these countries – with the exception of Pakistan – that we work most closely with.

Countries in our neighbourhood are of special significance to us. Our ties with these countries are underpinned by a shared history and culture. Policy initiatives taken by India – and its neighbours – have implications for each other. Ties with the neighbouring countries have a direct relevance to our States bordering these countries. India also realizes its prosperity and growth are linked to that of its neighbours. We cannot develop unless our neighbours develop.”

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