External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated that the Kashmir issue will be resolved only when Pakistan returns the illegally occupied region to India. He acknowledged the positive shifts in U.S.-India ties under President Trump, emphasized the Quad alliance’s success, and affirmed the need for a bilateral trade agreement. Additionally, he addressed India’s stance on the dollar’s dominance and the diverse views within BRICS regarding currency multipolarity.
In a recent discussion at Chatham House in London, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed the ongoing Kashmir issue, emphasizing that it can only be resolved upon India’s retrieval of the “stolen part” currently under Pakistan’s illegal occupation. He stated that while the conflict is largely addressed following the abrogation of Article 370, the resolution hinges on this territorial reclamation. “I think the part we are waiting for is the return of the stolen part of Kashmir… When that is done, I assure you, Kashmir solved,” Dr. Jaishankar affirmed.
Dr. Jaishankar also commented on the evolving U.S.-India relations under President Donald Trump, noting that the U.S. is transitioning towards a multipolar world, a stance that aligns with India’s interests. He expressed that this geopolitical shift is advantageous for India, indicating a blossoming partnership between the two nations.
Furthermore, he highlighted the Quad alliance—comprising India, the U.S., Australia, and Japan—as a successful collaborative effort. He remarked, “From President Trump’s perspective, the one big shared enterprise that we have is the Quad… There are no free riders involved. So that’s a good model which works.”
On trade relations, Dr. Jaishankar revealed that during discussions between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump, both parties acknowledged the necessity of a bilateral trade agreement. Currently, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal is in Washington, progressing these negotiations. He noted, “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.”
Additionally, he addressed various topics, including India’s approach to China, the internationalization of the rupee, and the global role of the U.S. dollar. Concerning the dollar’s dominance, Dr. Jaishankar stated, “I don’t believe there is any policy on our part to replace the dollar… the dollar as a reserve currency contributes to international economic stability.”
He also dismissed the idea of a unified BRICS position against the dollar, emphasizing that member nations have differing perspectives on this issue. “The assumption that BRICS has a united position against the dollar is not supported by facts,” he clarified, noting the diversity of views following the group’s recent expansion.
The discourse led by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar at Chatham House addressed critical issues surrounding Kashmir, U.S.-India relations, and the dynamics of international currency. Notably, he asserted that the Kashmir conflict’s resolution is contingent upon the return of the region currently held by Pakistan. Furthermore, he highlighted India’s significant evolving relations with the U.S. and the importance of maintaining economic stability amidst the global emphasis on multipolarity.
Original Source: www.indianewsnetwork.com
