EAM Jaishankar criticises Nehru's 'India second, China first' policy

The minister further stated that when the debate of a permanent seat of the UN (Security Council) came and "it was being offered to us", Nehru's position was we deserve the seat but first China should get it

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar blamed Jawaharlal Nehru's "India second, China first" theory for the escalating concern over Chinese occupation in parts of Indian territory.

Jaishankar made the comments at the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Replying to the question whether India should reconcile itself to the status of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Indian territories occupied by China, or work to get them back.

Referring to India's stand when it was offered a permanent seat in the UN Security Council, he recalled how Pandit Nehru had said, "India second, China first", a report by news agency PTI quoted the minister as saying.

Jaishankar's remarks come at a time when BJP leaders have started targeting Congress governments under Nehru and Indira Gandhi over the ceding of the island of Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka.

"In 1950, (then home minister) Sardar Patel had warned Nehru about China. Patel had told Nehru that today for the first time we are facing a situation on two fronts (Pakistan and China) which India had never faced earlier. Patel also told Nehru that he does not believe what the Chinese are saying as their intentions seem different and we should take precautions," the PTI quoted Jaishankar as saying.

"Nehru replied to Patel that you are unnecessarily suspicious of the Chinese. Nehru also said it is impossible for anybody to attack us from the Himalayas. Nehru was totally dismissive (about Chinese threat)," he said, adding that everyone knows what happened subsequently.

The minister further stated that when the debate of a permanent seat in the UN Security Council came and "it was being offered to us", Nehru's position was we deserve the seat but China should get it first.