At the India Today Conclave 2024, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasized the need for India to be domestically prepared to counter China, particularly by focusing on manufacturing.
Jaishankar highlighted the strategic challenges posed by China, including economic issues, and stressed the importance of having an economy capable of dealing with them. He noted that while the relationship with China had deteriorated after the 2020 Galwan clashes, tensions had been building up over time due to a lack of honest articulation and strategic planning.
The minister acknowledged that India had only recently started focusing on its manufacturing sector to compete with China, despite initiating economic reforms three decades ago.
Regarding military-level talks with China, Jaishankar mentioned issues related to border patrolling and emphasized the need for patience and perseverance in addressing them.
On the Russia-Ukraine war, Jaishankar mentioned India's involvement in various efforts to reduce tensions and relieve worries, without explicitly confirming reports of Prime Minister Modi's role in averting a nuclear attack.
Regarding rebel attacks on merchant ships in the Gulf of Aden, Jaishankar highlighted India's significant maritime presence in the region to deter such attacks.
When asked about the impact of social media on foreign policy, Jaishankar stated that his focus is on fixing foreign policy rather than social media, acknowledging the platform's influence but noting its limitations.
On India's relationship with the US and Canada, Jaishankar discussed the challenges of dealing with changing governments in friendly countries and distinguished between the political landscapes of the two nations, particularly regarding extremist views and activities.
Regarding an alleged plot to murder Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, Jaishankar mentioned India's decision to set up a high-powered committee to investigate the case due to its organized crime aspect, following information shared by the US.
