‘Security tops the country’s foreign policy’

Won’t tolerate attempts to change LAC: Yashankar
Efforts are on to resolve the border dispute. Jaishankar

Thiruvananthapuram. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday took a tough stand on the India-China border dispute, saying any unilateral attempt to change the status quo along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) will not be “tolerated”. “What has happened in the last two years, we have been very clear and very able to ensure that any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo along the Line of Actual Control will not be tolerated by us,” Jaishankar said. That efforts are on to resolve the border issue through talks between the military commanders and diplomats of the two countries.

Jaishankar said, “The process of withdrawing last year was satisfactory. There are still some issues… the discussion is going on. I myself raised this issue with the Chinese foreign minister when I met him in Bali (G20 foreign ministers meeting).” So, I think we are very clear and very open about it. So, I really don’t know what the illusion is.’

Asked whether the China-Pakistan maritime exercise – Sea Guardians – poses a threat to Indian maritime security, the minister said security is always a priority and is at the top of the country’s foreign policy. “Therefore, whenever we feel that the security interests of the country are affected in any way, we will do whatever we deem necessary to ensure our security,” he said.

‘India aware of maritime activity’
Jaishankar said, ‘We have demonstrated this in different situations. In some cases, you have seen in Uri and Balakot. You have also seen that even on the LAC with China, where even in the middle of Kovid-19 in 2020, we actually sent a large number of troops there to protect the LAC effectively. Is aware of and monitors marine activity in the seas and oceans in the South. “Whatever we feel, we do what we need to do,” the minister said.