China’s rise a big disruption, says Jaishankar

China’s rise a big disruption, says Jaishankar

Context

Concluding session of the Raisina Dialogue, organised jointly by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Observer Research Foundation

Foreign secretary’s views

1. Jaishankar said that

• one big disruption is the rise of China, then
• the posture of the U.S.,
• the challenge of terrorism, and
• the fourth would be the implications of non-market economics

We are seeing the rise of a very different power, whether the rise is a model for others is certainly a question

Positive disruption

He said that the disruption was positive in many ways

• “China has in a way opened up the international order, which allowed India to make its presence felt

Former Afghan President’s views

Hamid Karzai said that China was a huge reality in this region and the world. “We know China is a good friend of Pakistan, but so is the U,S. We don’t have a problem being friends… even with Pakistan

Quad’s China worries

The Navy chiefs and senior naval officials of the ‘Quad’ countries flagged the increasing Chinese assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific and stressed the importance of multilateral mechanisms to maintain peace in the region

• “The reality is China is the disruptive force in the Indo-Pacific region. The trust deficit that exists in the region should be addressed by China,” said Admiral Harry Harris.

Indian Navy Chief’s views

Indian Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba said China had been making increasing forays in the Indian Ocean in the name of anti-piracy and the scenario was likely to continue

• “On overseas bases, it is an open question, but China has invested money in port facilities. But they are economically unviable,

Australian Navy Chief-Vice Admiral’s views

Australian Navy chief Vice-Admiral Tim Barrett said there was more trust between the militaries of the region than there was on political dialogue

• “An abundance of these organisations and institutions, poorly managed or not aligned, makes it difficult for us to achieve meaningful outcomes,” he said of the various groupings

Japan’s admirals’views

Japan’s Admiral Katsutoshi Kawano said it was difficult to change China’s aggressive policy and if it continued violating international norms, it would be isolated

• The One Belt One Road initiative seemed to be an “economic initiative,” but with military aspects