Relations with China is Good for us : S. Jaishankar

New Delhi : India's External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, emphasized that while a trade agreement between India and the United States is beneficial from a commercial perspective, maintaining good relations with China is in the "mutual interest" of both nations. He made these remarks during a conversation at an event organized by the Asia Society Policy Institute (ASPI) and the Asia Society India Centre in New Delhi on Wednesday.

During the discussion moderated by Asia Society President and CEO Kyung-wha Kang, Jaishankar highlighted the ongoing robust trade dialogue between India and the US. He noted that while the concept of a trade agreement is not novel, it remains a significant topic in current diplomatic engagements.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Jaishankar indicated that India, having already reduced tariffs on products like bourbon whiskey and electric vehicles in the 2025-26 Union Budget, might further lower tariffs before the set deadline. The US remains India's largest goods export market.

The External Affairs Minister also pointed out that recent discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former US President Donald Trump signaled America's keen interest in strengthening defense and energy ties with India. He expressed confidence in the continued growth of India-US bilateral relations.

Addressing India-China relations, Jaishankar underscored the importance of ensuring that differences do not escalate into disputes and that competition does not lead to conflict. He advocated for a pragmatic approach, acknowledging the competitive aspects of the relationship while emphasizing the necessity of preventing conflicts.

"We firmly believe that our differences should not turn into disputes and our competition should not escalate into conflict. Since last October, we have observed some improvement in our bilateral ties with China. We are sincerely working on various aspects to foster stability," said Jaishankar.

He reiterated that building a constructive relationship with China aligns with the mutual interests of both countries, fostering regional stability and economic cooperation.

- Report by Shashwat Tiwari