EAM S Jaishankar is on a visit to three Latin American countries

The relationship between India and China is going through a "very difficult phase", External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Sunday, even as he reiterated that China had disregarded pacts which prohibit massing troops in the border areas.

Speaking to the Indian diaspora in Sao Paulo, Brazil, he argued that "relationships are a two-way street". Noting that everybody wants to get along with their neighbours on reasonable terms, EAM Jaishankar stressed on the need to be sensitive to the concerns of the other party. Relationships are a two way street, lasting relationships cannot be a one-way street, he remarked.

"Right now, it is no secret that we are going through a very difficult phase," the Indian External Affairs Minister stated in response to a question on India-China ties.

"We have agreements with China which prohibit massing troops in the border areas. They have disregarded that. You know what happened in Galwan two years back...that problem has not been resolved yet," he said.

India and China have been engaged in a standoff following transgressions by Chinese troops in several border areas, particularly in Eastern Ladakh, since April 2020. A violent face-off between troops from both sides in Galwan Valley in June 2020 left 20 Indian soldiers dead. China also suffered heavy casualties although it has never revealed the figures officially.

EAM Jaishankar is travelling to three Latin American countries as part of his first visit to the region. After visiting Brazil, he will travel to Argentina and Paraguay.

During his interaction in Sao Paulo, he also spoke about the the state of the world economy, particularly the global supply chain. "As our logistics is improving, our sense of the global economy has become stronger. That is how we are getting crude from Latin America," he pointed out.

"There has been a move away from the import of cooking oil as Ukraine supplied sunflower oil to India in the past, but as we all know, the country is going through a tough phase now. Because of this, the emphasis shifted to purchasing soy oil from Latin America," he added.

EAM Jaishankar also expressed his gratitude to the Indian community for acting as a strong link between Brazil and India. "India-Brazil ties are defined by good sentiment, great goodwill and increasing cooperation. I thank the Indian community for serving as an effective bridge," he said.