Bangkok: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday said relations between India and China are going through a “very difficult phase” since what Beijing has done on the border. Jaishankar made the remarks while replying to questions after delivering a lecture on ‘India’s Vision of the Indo-Pacific’ at the prestigious Chulalengkorn University.

Responding to a question, Jaishankar said the Asian century will be when China and India come together. But it will be difficult to have an Asian century if India and China cannot come together.

“After what China did on the border, (India-China) relations are going through a very difficult phase at the moment,” he said.

There has been a long-standing standoff between Chinese and Indian troops in eastern Ladakh. The two sides have so far held 16 rounds of Corps Commander-level talks to resolve the tension that began on May 5, 2020, following a violent clash in the Pangong lake area.

“I think if India and China have to come together, there are many reasons to do so, not necessarily only Sri Lanka,” Jaishankar said, adding that it is in India and China’s own interest to join hands. Replying to another question from the audience, he said, “We very much hope that knowledge will emerge on the Chinese side.”

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