Global Criticism During COVID-19 Hardened China’s Attitude Towards World: Misri
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has said China’s perception that it was being blamed and stigmatised by the international community over COVID-19 contributed to its harsh attitude towards the outside world and the prolonged lockdown imposed on its citizens.
Speaking at the Iqwat Global Business Conclave in Mumbai on Saturday, Misri recalled the challenges he faced as India's ambassador to China during the 2020 Galwan Valley confrontation between the two countries.For the first time in nearly 50 years, lives were lost on both sides along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), he noted.
He said the confrontation occurred at the height of the pandemic, when restrictions hampered diplomatic interactions and travel between Beijing and New Delhi.
“Anytime you flew out of China during COVID, returning meant a mandatory 21-day quarantine,” Misri said, describing every visit to Delhi as followed by 21 days of “vanvaas” upon his return.He said the incident caused shock on both sides, with recognition that something extremely serious had happened.
Misri observed that the pandemic had strained international and bilateral relations, as China believed it was being unfairly targeted by the global community. India had never pointed fingers at China over COVID-19, he said, adding that Beijing nevertheless felt the international community was determined to portray it negatively.
This perception, he said, contributed to China's harsh response towards the international community and what he described as a “draconian lockdown” within its borders.
The Foreign Secretary also praised the government-wide coordination during Operation Sindoor, saying it was heartening to see multiple agencies work together in real time during a major campaign.
Misri also spoke about his Kashmiri Pandit heritage, saying Kashmiriyat and the values he absorbed from his community had played an important role in his journey. He described resilience as a defining quality of the community.