Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr S Jaishankar remarked that “challenges in the India-Pakistan ties emanate essentially from cross-border terrorism directed against India.”
In addition to these remarks, made during an interview with the Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Serra, Jaishankar mentioned that the reform of the UN will happen, and it is only a matter of time.
Illegal Occupation of Indian Territories, Hindu-Muslim Conflict
Speaking on the Kashmir issue, Jaishankar asserted, “As regards Jammu and Kashmir, the outstanding issue is the vacation of illegally occupied Indian territories by Pakistan and China.”
The EAM said that no country had suffered more from terrorism than India. “We naturally hope that better sense will prevail at some point,” he added.
During the interview, he also claimed that a “narrative of a conflict in South Asia between Hindus and Muslims” is partly externally driven and partly promoted by vested interests.
Jaishankar mentioned that India seeks to practice and promote the development narrative without discrimination, where no one is left behind, as reflected in the government’s motto ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.’
UN Reform Essential
The EAM remarked, “The reform of the United Nations is absolutely essential if the global order is to become contemporary.” He highlighted that the current arrangement is almost eight decades old and has outlived its purpose.
Jaishankar noted that large parts of the world and the world’s most populous country are not represented in the UN’s decision-making, undermining its effectiveness and credibility.
Mentioning that most UN members favour change, the EAM said, “Even the G7 has yielded place to the G20. How can the P5 continue unchanged?”
India’s Multi-Alignment Policy
Jaishankar said that India’s foreign policy could be called multi-vectorial, independent and, in some cases, multi-alignment.
He explained that New Delhi has displayed an ability to bridge the East-West polarisation as well as the North-South divide. India is an “independent-minded polity” that thinks “in terms of national interest and global good rather than camp politics,” he outlined.
The EAM underscored that India’s fundamental strength is in its pluralism and this will matter more as the country navigates an interdependent world.
Cross-Border Terrorism, Illegal Occupation of Kashmir Responsible for Deterioration in India-Pakistan Ties: EAM Jaishankar
The Indian EAM made the remarks during an interview in Rome, where he travelled for a two-day visit to meet his Italian counterpart for bilateral discussions.
November 3, 2023
IMAGE SOURCE: DR S JAISHANKAR VIA TWITTERIndian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar.