External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated that the Kashmir issue will only be resolved upon Pakistan’s return of the illegally occupied region. He discussed India’s growing relationship with the U.S. under President Trump, emphasized the importance of the Quad alliance, and addressed trade negotiations. He also clarified India’s stance on the U.S. dollar and the diverse views among BRICS nations regarding currency multipolarity.
In a recent statement, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar asserted that the Kashmir issue can only be addressed when Pakistan returns the part of Kashmir it currently occupies illegally. He emphasized that since the revocation of Article 370, the conflict in the region has largely been resolved through developmental initiatives and elections. “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 a discussion at Chatham House in London, Dr. Jaishankar commented on India’s relationship with the United States during President Donald Trump’s administration. He remarked that the U.S. shift towards a multipolar world aligns with India’s interests, stating, “We see a president and an administration which, in our parlance, is moving towards multipolarity, and that is something that suits India.”
Dr. Jaishankar highlighted the Quad alliance, consisting of India, the U.S., Australia, and Japan, as a successful model of international cooperation. He noted that this alliance ensures all parties contribute fairly: “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,” he added.
On trade relations between India and the U.S., Dr. Jaishankar revealed that both nations have agreed on the necessity of establishing a bilateral trade pact after discussions between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump. He mentioned that Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal is currently in Washington to advance these negotiations. “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,” he reported.
Addressing broader issues, Dr. Jaishankar discussed India’s relationship with China and the internationalization of the rupee, as well as the role of the US dollar in the global economy. He clarified India’s stance on the dollar, asserting, “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.”
Furthermore, he dismissed the notion of a unified BRICS stance against the dollar, pointing out the diverse perspectives among member nations, especially following the group’s recent expansion. “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,” he concluded.
In summary, Dr. S. Jaishankar underscored the importance of returning the illegally occupied part of Kashmir to resolve the longstanding issue. He also highlighted the strengthening of India-U.S. relations under President Trump, the significance of the Quad alliance, and the pursuit of a bilateral trade agreement. Additionally, he addressed the complexities of currency dominance and the varied positions within BRICS. These discussions showcase India’s strategic approach to international relations in a multipolar world.
Original Source: www.indianewsnetwork.com
