Europe has to grow out of mindset that its problems are world's problems, says S Jaishankar

The relationship between China and India is a complex one, but it is fully capable of managing it, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said, rejecting the European notion that New Delhi's position on Ukraine might have an adverse impact on global support if its problems with Beijing worsen.

In an interactive session at the Slovakian capital Bratislava, Jaishankar also stated that the “Chinese do not need a precedent elsewhere about how to engage or not engage us, be hard on us or not be hard on us.”

He said Europe has to grow out of the mindset that its problems are the world’s problems but the world’s problems are not Europe’s problems.

Jaishankar's comments coincided with constant European efforts to persuade India to engage harshly in the Russian invasion of Ukraine on the grounds that New Delhi may face a similar challenge from China in the future.

"In terms of the connection you're making, we have a tense relationship with China that we know how to manage. It is definitely beneficial to me if I receive global knowledge and support "Jaishankar expressed his thoughts.
"But this idea that I'm doing a transaction — I'm coming in one dispute because it'll benefit me in conflict two — it's not working for me. That's not how things work in the real world. Many of our challenges in China have nothing to do with Ukraine or Russia. They've been pre-dated, "he stated

Jaishankar was asked why he believes others will help New Delhi in the event of a problem with China after it did not help others in the case of Ukraine.

According to Jaishankar, Europe has been silent on many developments in Asia.
"If I were to take Europe collectively, which has been singularly mute on many things that have been happening, for example in Asia," he continued, "one could ask why would anyone in Asia trust Europe on anything at all."

Jaishankar said India condemned the killings in Bucha in Ukraine and favoured an investigation into it as well.

"In terms of what is happening with the Ukraine conflict, our position is very clear that we favour an immediate cessation of hostilities. Its not that we have ignored it unless you call phone calls to (Vladimir) Putin and (Volodymyr) Zelenskyy as ignoring something," he added.