External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar stated the Kashmir issue will only be resolved when Pakistan returns the occupied region to India. He praised India’s relationship with the US under President Trump and highlighted the success of the Quad alliance. Additionally, he discussed trade negotiations with the US and clarified India’s stance on the dollar’s role in global stability and the BRICS group’s diversity of views on currency multipolarity.
In a recent statement, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar emphasized that the resolution of the Kashmir issue is contingent upon Pakistan returning the region it occupies, which he referred to as the “stolen part” of Kashmir. He remarked that while significant progress has been made following the removal of Article 370 and the facilitation of growth and elections in Kashmir, the issue remains unresolved until this territory is returned to India. “I think the part we are waiting for is the return of the stolen part of Kashmir, which is under an illegal Pakistani occupation. When that is done, I assure you, Kashmir solved,” Dr. Jaishankar stated.
During the discussion hosted at Chatham House in London, Dr. Jaishankar elaborated on India’s relationship with the US, praising President Trump’s administration for aligning with India’s interests through a shift towards a multipolar world. He noted, “We see a president and an administration which, in our parlance, is moving towards multipolarity, and that is something that suits India.”
Dr. Jaishankar also highlighted the Quad alliance, which includes India, the US, Australia, and Japan, as a successful framework for cooperation. He indicated that this collaboration operates on fair contributions from all involved, stating, “From President Trump’s perspective, the one big shared enterprise that we have is the Quad, which is an understanding where everybody pays their fair share. There are no free riders involved. So that’s a good model which works.”
Furthermore, he discussed ongoing trade negotiations between India and the US, which were initiated during discussions between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump. He revealed that Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal is in Washington to advance these talks. Dr. Jaishankar remarked, “We had a very open conversation about it (tariffs), and the result of that conversation was that we agreed on the need for a bilateral trade agreement.”
Addressing broader economic topics, Dr. Jaishankar expressed India’s stance on the US dollar’s global dominance, clarifying that India does not seek to replace the dollar, which plays a crucial role in ensuring international economic stability. He stated, “I don’t believe there is any policy on our part to replace the dollar. At the end of the day, the dollar as a reserve currency contributes to international economic stability, and what the world needs right now is more stability, not less.”
He also challenged the assumption of a unified BRICS consensus against the US dollar, highlighting the diversity of opinions among member nations, especially following the group’s recent expansion. He noted, “The assumption that BRICS has a united position against the dollar is not supported by facts. While multipolarity exists, that does not necessarily mean it has to extend to currency multipolarity.”
In summary, Dr. S. Jaishankar affirmed that the resolution of the Kashmir issue is linked to Pakistan returning the region it occupies. He also articulated India’s strengthening ties with the US and the significance of the Quad alliance. Trade negotiations between India and the US are progressing, and while he acknowledges the dollar’s role in global stability, he disputes the notion of a unified BRICS stance against it. These points underscore India’s strategic diplomatic and economic engagements in the contemporary global landscape.
Original Source: www.indianewsnetwork.com
