Now Reading: Jaishankar says India must do business with China confidently
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Jaishankar says India must do business with China confidently
External affairs minister S. Jaishankar said on Saturday that India has to do business with the entire world, including China, while building its own industrial capabilities and dealing with Beijing from a position of confidence. Speaking at the Economic Times World Leaders Forum, he said the purpose of economic interaction with China is ultimately to modernise India's economy and develop domestic manufacturing. Jaishankar described the period between 2020 and 2024 as a 'particularly bad patch' in bilateral ties because of the border situation, and stressed that peace along the Line of Actual Control is a prerequisite for stable relations.
The minister acknowledged that Indian businesses have faced difficulties obtaining Chinese visas and said the government has raised the issue with Beijing. He noted that ties began to stabilise after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan in October 2024, following an agreement on patrolling arrangements in eastern Ladakh. The Wire reports that Xi has been invited to the next BRICS summit in New Delhi, which would be his first visit to India since 2019, though Beijing has not confirmed his attendance. The New Indian Express reports that Jaishankar also urged caution in viewing US-China relations as a 'G2', describing the relationship as fundamentally competitive.
Indian Opinion Analysis
All three sources report Jaishankar's remarks in a largely neutral, wire-service style, with no discernible pro-government or critical slant. The Wire leads with the 'do business with China' line and includes the most detail on the BRICS summit and Xi's potential visit, while the New Indian Express foregrounds Jaishankar's emphasis on border conditions determining the relationship. The Times of India adds context on Bangladesh ties and Pakistan, broadening the foreign policy frame. The measured read: Jaishankar is trying to balance economic pragmatism with border firmness. Watch for Xi's confirmation on the BRICS visit, which would be a concrete test of the thaw.
Coverage: 3 sources, 3 neutral
Sources (3): m.thewire.in (neutral report), newindianexpress.com (neutral report), timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report)
This story was synthesised by AI from the 3 sources linked above. Methodology and corrections.
Updated: this story now draws on 3 sources.
