New Delhi: Ahead of his upcoming visit to the United States, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the significance of “peace and tranquility in the border areas” for establishing normal bilateral relations with China, as reported by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ).
“We have a core belief in respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity, observing the rule of law, and peaceful resolution of differences and disputes. At the same time, India is fully prepared and committed to protect its sovereignity and dignity,” PM Modi said in his interview with the US publication.
The WSJ noted that India and the US share relationships with China that have grown increasingly fraught in recent years, marked by deepening military and economic rivalries. It is said that for India, the challenge was at its doorstep, with rising tensions centering around its decades-long depute with Beijing over the 2,000-mile border separating the two countries, known as the Line of Actual Control.
India has blamed China for violating border agreements, and the two countries have held 18 rounds of military talks since 2020 that were aimed at preventing the dispute from spiralling into wider conflict. India has repeatedly clarified its stance on resolving border disputes with China. During his visit to the US, PM Modi is expected to finalise a multibillion-dollar agreement to enhance surveillance over the Indian Ocean and the border with China.
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