S. Jaishankar, the minister of external affairs, has reaffirmed that India should approach China realistically and that their relationship should be built on three mutual understandings: respect, sensitivity, and interest. In an interview, Jaishankar both attacked the romanticism of the Nehruvian era with China and reevaluated India’s strategy of dealing with China realistically in an effort to checkmate its aggressive measures.
“I argue for dealing with China from a basis of realism — that strain of realism, which I feel — strains all the way from Sardar Patel to Narendra Modi — that is the strain of realism which I feel should allow us to have a certain approach,” said Jaishankar.
The External Affairs Minister also lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his pragmatic approach on China.
“I would say that the Modi Government has been very much more and in conformity with a strain of realism, which originated from Sardar Patel,” he said.
Explaining the difference in the approach of India’s first Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, Sardar Patel and first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, Jaishankar highlighted the difference of opinion among the two stalwarts.
Sino-Indian relations were characterized early in Nehru’s term by what was seen as friendship and cordiality that covered both bilateral and regional as well as international issues. However, India received a rude awakening when China launched a war in 1962, which forced New Delhi’s decision makers to reevaluate their China policy.