‘Dealing with China will be a challenge for India,' says ex-deputy national security adviser Pankaj Saran

According to former deputy national security advisor Pankaj Saran, dealing with China would be a "challenge" for India during its G20 presidency and New Delhi will take a "cautious approach" toward Beijing, judging it by its actions rather than its words.
In an interview with PTI, Saran added that India would anticipate that China will treat it fairly and recognize it as a rising power.
According to him, India's top aim during its future G20 presidency should be to reestablish the economic order that offers stability and fosters an environment favorable to an economy like its own.

Saran, a member of the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB), said India should concentrate on restoring some sanity to the world system.
Saran stated that addressing challenges that affect the developing world, such as energy security, food security, and climate security, as well as exploring how India's voice and perspective can be incorporated into the G20, would be another significant goal for India during its presidency.
Unfortunately, he argued, the advanced economies have "weaponized" the entire G20 agenda, which is primarily economic.

The phrase "today's era must not be of war" was adopted at the G20 summit in Bali earlier this month, according to Saran, and it was a reflection of India's growing influence on the global stage as well as Prime Minister Narendra Modi's message to Russian President Vladimir Putin following the conflict in Ukraine.
"It is uncommon for an influential organization like the G20 to acknowledge an Indian perspective. The G20 was able to reach agreement on this problem because to India's contribution, according to Saran, who served as the deputy NSA from September 1, 2018, to December 31, 2021.

"China will undoubtedly be invited to the Summit and the President (Xi Jinping) will be invited to all other meetings. You can only hope that China will realize and acknowledge that India is a rising force and an economy, Saran told PTI.
He stated that China "must accept and deal with India on terms that are equal, that respect India, and it translates its words into deeds on how it respects India's sovereignty, territorial integrity, adheres to the agreements on peace and tranquillity at the border, and also respects India's core national interests."
According to Saran, China must accomplish all of this while making sure to return things to how they were prior to April 2020.