Amid the ongoing border tensions in eastern Ladakh, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has urged Indian firms to consider a ‘national security filter’ when dealing with China and to rely more on domestic manufacturers. Jaishankar clarified that his suggestion doesn’t mean entirely stopping imports from China but emphasized the importance of prioritizing Indian companies whenever possible for the sake of national security and long-term business stability.
Referring to the border row, Jaishankar likened dealing with China to accommodating “somebody who has just barged into one’s drawing room and is trying to make a mess of their house fencing.” He highlighted the ‘weaponisation’ of economic activities by China, including the use of exports, imports, raw materials access, and tourism stability to exert political pressure.
Key Points
National Security Filter: Indian firms should prioritize national security in dealings with China.
Economic Weaponisation: Concerns over China’s use of economic activities to exert political pressure.
Strategic Interests: Importance of aligning India’s economic priorities with strategic interests.
Global Resources: Need to access global resources to fuel India’s growth.
Russia’s Eastward Turn: New economic opportunities emerging from increased trade with Russia.
Jaishankar stressed the importance of trust and reliability in foreign policy, especially in de-risking supply sources and enhancing collaboration in critical and emerging technologies. He also noted that India’s old friend Russia is now ‘turning eastwards’, presenting fresh economic opportunities that should not be seen as temporary.
