In a dramatic session of the Rajya Sabha, Opposition leaders staged a walkout on Wednesday after being denied the opportunity to question External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar regarding his statement on India-China relations.
Sequence of Events
- Jaishankar’s Statement: The minister reiterated India’s commitment to resolving the boundary dispute with China through a fair and mutually acceptable framework.
- He highlighted recent diplomatic engagements, including discussions during the BRICS Summit and the G20 Summit.
- He acknowledged that India-China ties have been “abnormal” since 2020 due to disturbances in peace and tranquillity caused by Chinese actions.
- Opposition’s Protest:
- Following his statement, Opposition members attempted to raise questions, but Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar denied the opportunity.
- Instead, the Chair moved on to introduce The Boilers Bill, 2024, leaving the Opposition dissatisfied.
- As a mark of protest, they staged a brief walkout from the House.
Key Takeaways from Jaishankar’s Statement
- Boundary Dispute Resolution:
- India aims to achieve a stable and calibrated bilateral relationship with China, prioritizing national security interests.
- Recent discussions with Chinese FM Wang Yi focused on convening mechanisms like Special Representatives to oversee peace management and find solutions.
- Post-2020 Relations:
- Relations have been strained since 2020, with the disengagement phase just concluded.
- The focus is now shifting towards broader engagement strategies.
- Leadership Engagements:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping met during the BRICS Summit, emphasizing the importance of stabilizing relations.
Parliamentary Proceedings
Despite the walkout, Parliament managed to transact some business:
- The Rajya Sabha passed the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024.
- The Lok Sabha approved the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 after reaching consensus on several issues.
The walkout underscores the growing divide between the Centre and Opposition over sensitive geopolitical issues, with the Opposition demanding greater accountability and transparency in India’s handling of the China relationship.
Leave a Reply