MJ Akbar says India-China ties rest on managing disputes; highlights resilience in India-US relations

By A Staff Reporter

Former Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar on Monday offered perspectives on India’s relations with both China and the United States, noting that while challenges exist, both partnerships have evolved with resilience and pragmatism.

Speaking in Delhi on India-China ties, Akbar said the foundation of the relationship lies in keeping the border conflict in abeyance while focusing on development. “The basis of India-China understanding is that the solution lies in a non-resolution of the border conflict. It means you can hold it in abeyance, while you get along with creating a better life for your people,” he remarked. Despite tensions, he pointed out, bilateral trade has grown exponentially. “I was in China when PM Rajiv Gandhi and PM Vajpayee were there, and trade was zero. But now it is over 100 billion dollars,” Akbar noted.

He also cautioned against overstating India’s exposure to the United States in trade, saying, “On trade, it is important to remember that the extent of our exposure in trade with the US is not as much as it is made out to be. In the larger perspective, while the relations with the US are extremely important, they are not as dramatically injurious as some might suggest.”

Turning to current India-US relations, Akbar observed that the partnership remains strong despite policy disagreements. “In reality, relationships are built on understanding there will be problems... In fact, one of the significant discoveries is the large constituency that India now has in the US. So many American voices are standing up and saying that President Trump is making a mistake, injuring a relationship that was carefully built over 25 years,” he said.