“India, a neighbor of Pakistan, has just one demand: stop backing cross-border terrorism”. This is what Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar conveyed in the Lok Sabha a few days back.
He also made it clear that India continues to see fighting terrorism as a precondition for moving forward with diplomatic relations with the other nation.
India’s message is firm on terrorism
Jaishankar said, “India places great value on good relations with its neighbors, but it will not allow a desired peaceful dialogue to be subsumed under the nefarious activities of terrorism.”
India hassles with Pakistan on the issue of cross-border terrorist groups. The minister spoke about this perplexing state of affairs of opposing Indian politicians that hardly contribute to India’s diplomatic relationship with Pakistan and China.
“It is not merely a bilateral problem; it is a global problem. Pakistan’s activities are contributing to regional instability,” he said, articulating, “For any meaningful dialogue to take place, terrorism has to end,” showcasing India’s stand on its national security.
Bilateral and Global Diplomacy
Jaishankar said that India would like to build relations on the basis of respect and non-interference.
However, Pakistan continued to be criticized for actions at odds with several key assurances and international obligations, for example, stopping terrorism from its territory.
India’s diplomatic endeavor is in line with initiatives for fighting terrorism at an international level.
India is quite ahead in leading the world to take counter-terrorism measures, thereby getting significant international support.
Many a time, India has taken a stand at the UN and other international forums, which has placed terrorism as a common foe of peace.
Shortly on the Chengdu Sense, though the emphasis remained on Pakistan, Jaishankar did not fail to mention China’s tensions.
He emphasized India’s commitment to defending its sovereignty in the ongoing border dispute particularly in eastern Ladakh.
He also attacked unilateral attempts to change the status quo at the Line of Actual Control, mentioning, without naming China, challenges arising from such an action.
India’s Regional and Global Vision
India continues to maintain a balanced yet assertive approach to foreign policy, safeguarding its regional and global objectives without palliation in the matter of its safety.
Jaishankar’s statements partially form an ensemble where India, standing up to adversarial overtures, tries to strengthen its stewardship in Asia.
This statement reaffirms India’s commitment to peace while retaining a strong anti-terrorism stance and building upon a continuing policy to prioritize national security.
