In a written statement to the public on Thursday, former U.S. President Donald Trump proposed a new vision for future U.S.-China relations, saying that Beijing was a global player to be reckoned with and he would be willing to mediate the ongoing India-China border dispute. He acknowledged the current border tensions between India and China, calling them ‘quite vicious,’ while also indicating his willingness to help resolve the issue while speaking alongside Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House.
“I look at India, and India seems to be on the border. They seem to have the skirmishes, which are quite vicious, and I suppose they continue.” Trump said that if he could be helpful, he would be able to help because that must be stopped. He also spoke highly of China, saying he thought that the relationship that the “U.S. will have with China will be a very good one. Before that, we had a good working relationship with President Xi. “China plays a key role in bringing the world together.”
Instead, India has politely but firmly said no to Trump’s offer, maintaining the long-standing position that it’s resolved to do so with fellow neighbors through bilateral channels. In another statement to the media, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri revealed that on the occasion of PM Modi’s two days visit to the U.S., they have always handled our issues with a neighbor on a ‘bilateral basis.’
India’s response is consistent with the Foreign Policy as third-party mediation is not required to resolve the border disputes. The remarks by India also reflect India’s confidence in dealing with diplomatic problems with China directly through existing bilateral mechanisms and diplomatic channels.
Trump’s remarks have set in motion diplomatic conversations, but India maintains its position of sovereignty and strategic autonomy in disputes over borders through dialogue-based conflict resolution.
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