Tag: Dr. S. Jaishankar

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‘India has transformed to modern economy, vibrant democracy’

“Our 75th year as a free nation is also the starting point to envision where we will be on our centenary,” said EAM S Jaishankar, reports Asian Lite News

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said in the last 75 years, people of India have displayed collective commitment to create a vibrant democracy and a modern economy.

The EAM said this while inaugurating ”Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav” on Friday ahead of India’s 75th Independence Day, organised by the Indian Council for Cultural Relation (ICCR) in Delhi.

“As the tricolour unfolds at the Red Fort this 15th August, we will be marking a historic milestone in the journey of a civilizational state towards a contemporary nation. This is certainly a moment for celebration; but equally one for introspection and renewed resolve,” Jaishankar said.

“In the 75 years that have passed, we, the people of India, have displayed a huge collective commitment to creating a vibrant democracy, a modern economy and an energetic civil society. To that end, we have drawn on the efforts of untold and often unknown freedom fighters, as also masses of citizens who nurtured their spirit. We, therefore, pay homage to those whose sacrifices make our tomorrow possible,” he added.

The EAM further noted that in this period, along with India, the world has changed profoundly. Significant shifts – starting with the economy and extending to politics, to culture and to other domains – have driven a rebalancing process that is creating a multi-polar world, he said.

“In such a reality, the capabilities, the influence, in fact, the very personality of our nation has a growing impact on the world order. This ability to shape global developments through an optimal mix of hard and soft power constitutes the essence of our diplomacy today. And, we can embark on that now with much greater confidence than ever before,” the EAM said.

The EAM said that it was inevitable that once democracy struck deeper roots in India, that the authentic voices of our society would find expression.

“We see that every day at home in a variety of ways. As a result, our heritage, traditions and practices are once again getting the recognition that they have long deserved. The celebration of the International Day of Yoga is symbolic of that development. This anniversary, of course, offers us an opportunity to present to the world many other facets of our rich and diverse culture,” he said.

The EAM pointed out that as we approached this momentous anniversary, India too was severely tested by the Covid pandemic. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, our people responded courageously not only at home, but stood with others abroad as well.

While concluding the address, Jaishankar said, “Our 75th year as a free nation is also the starting point to envision where we will be on our centenary. The bold transformations at home will give us an increasingly salient role in the international system.”

“As a democratic polity, a pluralistic society, an innovative economy and as a culture of unmatched diversity, our contributions have a real weight and value. Our ability to harmonize tradition and modernity stands out in particular. Already, India is perceived as a first responder, a climate action leader, the pharmacy of the world, a reservoir of talent and as a reliable development partner,” he added. (India News Network)

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Visiting SAARC Secretary General meets Jaishankar

Weerakoon is a Sri Lankan diplomat and assumed charge as the Secretary General of the SAARC last year…reports Asian Lite News.

In a bid to strengthen regional cooperation including Covid-19 management, SAARC Secretary General Esala Ruwan Weerakoon who is on a week-long visit to India, from August 8 to 14 on Tuesday met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

Taking to Twitter, Jaishankar said nice to welcome back E. R. Weerakoon, the 14th SAARC Secretary General.

Earlier, Union Minister Rajkumar Ranjan Singh met Esala Ruwan Weerakoon.

In a tweet, MEA Spokesman Arindam Bagchi said Ranjan received Weerakoon, who is on his customary introductory visit to India. Minister Rajkumar wished him well for his term at the SAARC.

Weerakoon is a Sri Lankan diplomat and assumed charge as the Secretary General of the SAARC last year.

In March 2020, the SAARC leaders, under India’s initiative, held a virtual meeting to chalk out a common strategy to effectively deal with the COVID-19 crisis.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his message on the occasion of the 36th charter day of SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) had called for a commitment to defeat the forces that “support and nurture terrorism”.

Since the 2014 Kathmandu summit, the SAARC has not held its leadership meet.

The 2016 SAARC summit was to be held in Pakistan. But after the terror attack on an Indian Army camp in Uri in Jammu and Kashmir on September 18, 2016, India had expressed its reluctance in participating in the summit saying, “Increasing cross-border terrorist attacks in the region… have created an environment that is not conducive for the meet.” (India News Network)

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India supports strong, unified and prosperous ASEAN: Jaishankar

He said Covid-19 triggered challenges have also brought ASEAN and India even closer, “as we have extended practical support to each other during these times of stress.”…reports Asian Lite News.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday said India is committed to support a “strong, unified and prosperous ASEAN, one whose centrality in the Indo-Pacific is fully appreciated”.

“The strong convergence between the ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and the Indo-Pacific Ocean’s Initiative (IPOI) proposed by India adds another dimension to our contemporary partnership,” the EAM said in his opening remarks at ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers meeting.

Stating that India’s ties with the ASEAN are rooted in history and strengthened by proximity, he said, “Together, these are factors that can help us achieve a vision of a more ‘connected’ India and ASEAN. This will naturally require the realization of a dedicated set of initiatives which, of course, constitute the core of our collaborative agenda.”

He said Covid-19 triggered challenges have also brought ASEAN and India even closer, “as we have extended practical support to each other during these times of stress.”

The EAM said ASEAN is held across the world as a good example of successful regionalism, multilateralism and globalization.

“This year’s theme of ‘We Care, We Prepare, We Prosper’ under the able chairmanship of Brunei succinctly captures the outlook of ASEAN. I am confident that this theme applies equally to our partnership as well,” Jaishankar said

He added the year 2022 will be marking the 30th anniversary of ASEAN-India relations. “We agreed to commemorate this important occasion by celebrating it as the ASEAN-India Friendship Year,” the EAM maintained. (India News Network)

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India accords importance to Mekong region: Jaishankar

“We need to work together to find ways how the MGC partnership can lend its strength to the fight against the pandemic,” he said…reports Asian Lite News.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said that the Mekong region is of great importance for India and it is time to broaden the base of the partnership by identifying newer areas of cooperation.

Speaking at the 11th Mekong-Ganga Cooperation Meeting, Jaishankar said, “For India, the Mekong region is of great importance. India seeks multi-dimensional engagement with the Mekong countries. We need to broaden the base of our partnership by identifying newer areas of cooperation.”

“We aim to promote connectivity in the region in the broadest sense of the term including not just physical but also digital, economic, and people-to-people connectivity,” he added.

Noting that the pandemic does not respect national boundaries, Jaishankar said that it is therefore necessary that the response to the pandemic is also collective and collaborative.

“We need to work together to find ways how the MGC partnership can lend its strength to the fight against the pandemic,” he said.

Jaishankar recalled that during the last ministerial meeting in Bangkok in 2019, we agreed to commemorate the 20th anniversary of MGC in a befitting manner. However, much of the celebrations, especially in physical format have been postponed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“But I am happy to note that today will inaugurate the MGC Website and a video documentary highlighting the cultural, historical, religious, social and economic bonds that we share with each other,” he added.

The Mekong Ganga Cooperation stands on a strong foundation of shared geographical, historical and civilizational ties between our six countries.

“This oldest sub-regional cooperation is as much a celebration of our long and rich history of trade, cultural and people-to-people exchanges as it is a vehicle to advance modern day cooperation to bring progress and prosperity to our people,” he said.

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Jaishankar says no serious connectivity can ever be a one-way street

Arguing that building connectivity is an act of trust and must at the minimum conform to international law, EAM Jaishankar said no serious connectivity can ever be a one-way street….reports Asian Lite News

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday described connectivity, commerce and contacts as factors of economic growth and prosperity.

“Economic growth is universally driven by 3Cs: connectivity, commerce and contacts. All three need to come together to ensure regional cooperation and prosperity,” the EAM said in his remarks at a conference on connectivity in Uzbekistan.

He, however, regretted that such realization often faces impediments because of “politics, vested interest and instability.”

“There are lessons too from our experiences that need to be understood. The real issues are of mind sets, not of disputes. Blocking connectivity in practice while professing support in principle benefits no one. A one-sided view of trade rights and obligations can never work. No serious connectivity can ever be a one-way street,” the EAM said.

Arguing that building connectivity is an act of trust and must at the minimum conform to international law, EAM Jaishankar said no serious connectivity can ever be a one-way street.

“Building connectivity is an act of trust and must, at the minimum, conform to international law. Respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity are the most basic principles of international relations,” he said.

Noting that robust connectivity within and between Central and South Asia is rooted in history, he stated that India’s focus in the last few years has been to rebuild links that were diminished by the colonial period.

India’s focus in the last few years has been to rebuild links that were diminished by the colonial period. “We have progressed in the Indian Sub-continent and eastwards to the Indo-Pacific. Our horizons today extend from Vladivostok to the Gulf and East-Africa. However, the challenges towards Central-Asia and Eurasia remain to be addressed,” he said.

Informing that since 2016, India has taken practical steps to operationalize the Chabahar port in Iran, he said this port provides a secure, viable and unhindered access to the sea for Central Asian countries. Its efficacy is now clearly proven, the Minister added.

“We have proposed to include the Chabahar port in the framework of INSTC. The formation of India-Uzbekistan-Iran-Afghanistan Quadrilateral Working Group on the joint use of Chabahar port is a welcome development,” he submitted. EAM Jaishankar said that development and prosperity go hand in hand with peace and security.

“For reliable connectivity within and through Afghanistan, the world must have confidence in its governance. Our connectivity deliberations expect predictability, efficiency and observance of norms of our time as its foundation,” he insisted.

“While expanding connectivity between Central Asia and South Asia, we need to address not just physical infrastructure but all its accompanying facets. Tourism and societal contacts can create a fostering enabling environment,” the Indian Minister said.

“Connectivity efforts must be based on economic viability and financial responsibility.

They should promote economic activity and not create debt burdens. Ecological and environmental standards, as also skill and technology transfers, are musts,” he added.

“Connectivity must be consultative, transparent and participatory,” Jaishankar stated.

India stands ready to cooperate, plan, invest and build a more prosperous and inter-connected Eurasia, he assured.

The EAM argued that connectivity acquires a particular salience in the context of post-Covid economic recovery. It is itself an economic multiplier, he added.

“But there is also a widespread realization of the need now for more resilient and reliable supply chains. This is not just a matter of production; it is equally a challenge of efficient logistics. All of us need more and multiple options. And this applies to the domain of connectivity most of all,” Jaishankar said. (India News Network)

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China not mincing words about downturn in ties with India

Wang referred to the “downturn” more than once during his meet with Jaishankar….reports Asian Lite News

China is not mincing words about the downturn in relations with India, as Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has said that “China-India relations are still in bad shape, which is not in the interest of any country”.

Global Times reported these statements made by Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) foreign ministers’ meeting in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.

Wang referred to the “downturn” more than once during his meet with Jaishankar.

“To prevent border issues from further posing unnecessary interference in bilateral relations, which is already in its downturn, Wang said both sides should alter the work mechanism for border incidents from emergency responses to normalised management,” Global Times said.

Wang warned that the two countries should refrain from taking any unilateral action in the sensitive and disputed areas, so as to avoid misunderstanding and misjudgment which can lead to the repetition of what happened last year.

“Any unilateral action in the sensitive and disputed areas along China-India border should be restrained as last year’s incident is already pulling China-India ties to their downturn,” Wang said, according to Global Times.

The two militaries have disengaged in the Galwan Valley and the Bangong Lake areas and the border situation has eased since the meeting between the foreign ministers of the two countries in Moscow in September last year.

But China-India relations are still in a bad shape, which is not in the interest of any country, Wang said, as per the report.

It is clear that the responsibility of the border issues last year does not lie with China. China is willing to negotiate with India to seek a solution acceptable to both the countries, Wang said.

The essence of China-India relations is how two large neighbouring developing countries view each other, how they can live in harmony, and how to help each other, Wang said, adding that China’s strategic judgment on China-India relations remains unchanged.

The interactions between the countries should mainly be led by cooperation, mutual benefit, and complementarities with healthy competition, avoiding confrontation, Wang said.

Jaishankar agreed with Wang on bilateral ties, saying India doesn’t and hopefully won’t change its strategic judgment over bilateral ties and is willing to work with China to prompt bilateral relationship out of the downturn, the Global Times reported.

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India Deepening Ties With Georgia Amid Growing Chinese Influence

Jaishankar’s trip, at the invitation of his Georgian counterpart, comes at a time when Beijing has made deep inroads into the Georgian economy, reports Ateet Sharma

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s two-day visit to Georgia – the first by an Indian EAM to Tbilisi since the country got independent in 1991- signals the importance India is giving to the region where China continues to expand its footprint through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), also known as the new Silk Road.

Jaishankar’s trip, at the invitation of David Zalkaliani, the Vice Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Georgia, comes at a time when Beijing has made deep inroads into the Georgian economy, becoming one of its top trading partners and also the main source for foreign direct investments.

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Georgia is not only in line with the ‘One China’ policy but also, considering its geostrategic location, welcomed the implementation of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s signature One Belt One Road Initiative (OBOR), or the BRI project, even though Beijing has been labelled as a craven money-lender by many, keen to push smaller nations into “debt traps”.

Jaishankar’s trip, at the invitation of his Georgian counterpart, comes at a time when Beijing has made deep inroads into the Georgian economy. (Photo twitter@DrSJaishankar)

Insisting that the ‘new Silk Road’ can become an inexhaustible resource for economic development and political stability for many countries, the Georgian Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had also launched ‘Tbilisi Silk Road Forum’ with the support of the Chinese government and the Asian Development Bank, to promote BRI in the Eurasian region.

The Chinese investments in Georgia have grown considerably after the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries was signed. Georgia is the only country in the region to have a FTA with China, which came into effect from January 1, 2018.

It is the construction sector in Georgia which has seen massive amounts of money being poured in from Beijing. Around 90 per cent of the total $600 million invested in Georgia from China since the first ever investment in 2002, came from the construction sector.

(Photo twitter@DrSJaishankar)

Chinese state-owned hydropower engineering and construction companies like Sinohydro, a subsidiary of Power Construction Corporation of China (PowerChina), engaged in the construction of highways in Georgia since long, are now also involved in reconstruction of strategically important roads of the country like the Batumi-Akhaltsikhe highway.

Giorgi Gakharia, the Former Prime Minister of Georgia, during the opening of the Tbilisi Silk Road Forum in 2019, stated that in the modern world, the creation of new transport corridors between Europe and Asia is not only the opportunity, but also a necessity.

“Historically Georgia has played an important role in the development of the Silk Road. In the modern world, when economic integration and globalization is in action, the development of trade and economic relations between countries is of top importance and we are proud to be the part of the Silk Road initiative which serves the goal of close economic, state-to-state cooperation,” Gakharia had said while applauding the Chinese BRI.

China’s Hualing Group too has invested over 500 million US Dollars in various projects in Georgia since 2007, building Tbilisi Sea New City near Tbilisi Sea, Sea Plaza, industrial zones, hotels, among others.

(Photo twitter@DrSJaishankar)

However, analysts believe that even though the Chinese continue to pump in money into Georgia, from infrastructure projects to hydropower plants, the relationship which once looked promising could be losing its charm.

Writing for the Washington-based Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA) last year, Emil Avdaliani, Director of Middle East Studies at Georgian think tank Geocase, says that even though things haven’t exactly went as planned, Tbilisi may not openly criticize Beijing considering the high stakes involved.

“The hopes for improvements in trade have not panned out. While there has been a steady increase in overall volume, statistics show that Georgia mostly exports raw materials to China, such as copper and various chemicals. A market for goods higher up the value chain has not materialized. Similarly, concerns over corrupt practices have increased, especially tied to how Chinese companies have been awarded contracts,” wrote Avdaliani.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (Source twitter@ChinaAmbUN) (3)

It is here, when Georgia may be looking for trustworthy and strategic partners to bolster its development, that India can play a crucial role.

India’s connect with the territory located at the intersection of Europe and Asia dates back to the medieval age – Georgians are said to have served at the Mughal courts. Emperor Aurangzeb’s wife Udaipuri Begum was also of Georgian origin.

However, in modern times, all the high-profile visits from New Delhi happened during the Soviet era with Jawaharlal Nehru visiting Tbilisi in 1955 (when he was welcomed in Hindi by the renowned Georgian Indologist and Sanskrit scholar Georgi Akhvledani); Indira Gandhi in the summer of 1976 and Atal Bihari Vajpayee in June 1978 as a foreign minister.

“It is time to expand India’s connect Central Asia policy to include countries of the South Caucasus. Unlike five Central Asian republics, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia have varied ties with Moscow. So, India is carefully developing its relations with Georgia and Azerbaijan. This region could be important for India’s broader connectivity plans for linking itself with Europe,” Professor Gulshan Sachdeva, Chairperson, Centre for European Studies at New Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru University, told IndiaNarrative.com.

Georgian minister of foreign affairs David Zalkaliani welcomes his Indian counterpart Dr S. Jaishankar in Tbilisi (Photo twitter@DrSJaishankar)

During his visit, Jaishankar and Zalkaliani will be discussing, besides increasing cooperation in multilateral formats and international organizations, the positive dynamics of the development of bilateral cooperation, including in the fields of politics, economy, investment, culture and education.

The existing friendship between the two countries will further deepen after Jaishankar handed over the Holy Relic of St. Queen Ketevan of Georgia to the people of Georgia, and a newly-installed statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Tbilisi will be unveiled on Saturday.

(The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com)

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Jaishankar highlights need for vaccine equity, fair travel regime

Jaishankar highlights need for vaccine equity, fair travel regime

In his two-nation tour, the external affairs minister also met OECD Secretary-General and his South African counterpart Naledi Pandor on the sidelines of G-20 ministeral meetings, reports Asian Lite News

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met EU Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen and discussed the “Covid challenge” and underlined the importance of equitable vaccine access and a fair travel regime.

Jaishankar arrived in Italy from Greece on the second leg of this two-nation tour. “A good conversation with EU Commissioner for International Partnerships @JuttaUrpilainen,” Jaishankar tweeted, sharing a photograph of them together.

“Discussed the Covid challenge, our Connectivity Partnership and development cooperation. Underlined the importance of equitable vaccine access and a fair travel regime,” he further added.

The minister also met OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann and discussed India-OECD bilateral engagement.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an intergovernmental economic organisation with 38 member countries, founded in 1961 to stimulate economic progress and world trade.

“Discussed India-OECD bilateral engagement with Secretary-General @MathiasCormann. Appreciate OECD’s contribution to the G20,” Jaishankar tweeted along with a photograph of the meeting.

In another meeting, he met his South African counterpart Naledi Pandor.

“Our conversation covered shared concerns on vaccine equity & access. Also discussed our Climate Action approaches,” Jaishankar tweeted after the meet.

He also shared a photograph of the them together along with the tweet.

The meetings were held on the sidelines of the G20 ministerial meetings.

G20 is an influential bloc that brings together the world’s major economies.

The G20 summit is scheduled to be held in Italy in October. India is expected to hold the presidency of the G20 in 2022.

Earlier in the day, Jaishankar met British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and the two leaders reviewed the progress in bilateral ties and discussed global and regional issues.

“Met UK Foreign Secretary @DominicRaab this morning. Reviewed the progress of our bilateral Road Map. Discussed the state of the world, regional issues, Covid and Climate Action,” Jaishankar said in a series of tweets.

The external affairs minister met his Italian counterpart Luigi Di Maio and congratulated him on the successful G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Italy.

“Discussed taking forward our bilateral relationship. Look forward to seeing him in India, Jaishankar said in another tweet.

He also met his Mexican counterpart Marcelo Ebrard C and agreed to step up bilateral cooperation and work together in the multilateral arena.

“Our pharma cooperation is particularly important in the times of Covid, Jaishankar said.

He met Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and exchanged views on Quad, 2+2 and Covid.

“A typical #G20 conversation – with FM @moteging of Japan. Spoke about Quad, 2+2 and Covid,” Jaishankar tweeted.

The Quad or Quadrilateral alliance consisting of the US, India, Japan and Australia has been resolving to uphold a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific amid growing Chinese assertiveness in the region.

The minister also held a cordial meeting with his Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan during which he discussed the Covid situation and urged early resumption of flights.

“Cordial meeting with Saudi FM @FaisalbinFarhan. Discussed the Covid situation and urged early flight resumption. Talks also covered our Strategic Partnership and regional situation,” he tweeted.

Jaishankar later met Canadian Foreign Minister Marc Garneau and discussed issues of bilateral concerns.

“Useful conversation with FM @MarcGarneau of Canada on Indo-Pacific, trade & economic cooperation and bilateral concerns. Agreed to remain in touch, he tweeted.

The external affairs minister also met with Josep Borrell Fontelles, the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission.

“Taking forward the agenda of the Leaders’ Summit. Discussed vaccine production and access. Took up Covishield’ authorisation for travel to Europe. Will be following up,” he said after the meeting.

The G20 member countries are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, India, Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union.

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A new phase in India’s global diplomacy on Afghanistan

Jaishankar during his address went for the jugular when he stressed that the supply chains of terrorism which end up in Afghanistan must be disrupted, for fostering “enduring” peace, reports Atul Aneja

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s clarion call during his address to the UN Security Council on Tuesday marks a new pro-active phase in India’s global diplomacy on Afghanistan.

Jaishankar nailed the urgency for a holistic international approach to end conflict by focusing on the umbilical link between terrorism in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

In tune with Jaishankar’s call, National Security Adviser, Ajit Doval is heading for Dushanbe for a conference of region’s security chiefs, under the umbrella of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), where the turbulent situation in Afghanistan is bound to be discussed.

Jaishankar during his address went for the jugular when he stressed that the supply chains of terrorism which end up in Afghanistan must be disrupted, for fostering “enduring” peace. “For enduring peace in Afghanistan, terrorist safe havens and sanctuaries must be dismantled immediately and terrorist supply chains disrupted. There needs to be zero tolerance for terrorism in all its forms and manifestations including its cross-border one,” he said in a veiled reference to Pakistan.

EAM Jaishankar drove home his point of a composite approach to end terrorism when he hammered his call for “double peace,” both within and across the border. “A durable peace in Afghanistan requires a genuine double peace. That is, peace within Afghanistan and peace around Afghanistan. It requires harmonising the interests of all, both within and around that country,” he said.

By calling out for regional approach, Jaishankar was implicitly erasing Pakistan’s oft-quoted argument of dominating Afghanistan to acquire “strategic depth” against India. In India, there are deep and genuine concerns that Pakistan’s sway can once against turn Afghanistan into a ground zero from where global Jihad radiates across the glove, drawing Kashmir into the international terror orbit.

Unsurprisingly, Jaishankar spotlighted that, “It is equally important to ensure that the territory of Afghanistan is not used by terrorist groups to threaten or attack any other country. Those providing material and financial support to terrorist entities must be held accountable.”

India’s high decibel call for the world to act on the fundamentals and mechanics of terrorism threatening to re-permeate into Afghanistan is natural. India has invested over $3 billion since the Taliban’s exit in 2001, apart from substantially pitching in its political capital and soft-power reserves in a country, long known as a “graveyard of empires”.

Jaishankar pointed out that India remains committed to steadfastly supporting Afghanistan during its transition. Our development partnership, including more than 550 Community Development Projects covering all 34 provinces, is aimed at making Afghanistan a self-sustaining nation, he said.

Besides, India has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Afghan government for building the Shatoot dam, which would provide safe drinking water to the residents of Kabul city, he observed.

The EAM asserted that landlocked Afghanistan must have access to high -seas-a reference to India’s participation with Afghanistan and Iran in the Chabahar port project. India has also built a strategic road linking Chabahar with Afghanistan’s road network.

But noting practical difficulties on the ground during transit, Jaishankar alerted the international community to work towards the removal of artificial transit barriers imposed on Afghanistan and ensure full transit rights guaranteed to Afghanistan under bilateral and multilateral transit agreements without any hindrance.

Jaishankar made two additional points. First, he called for an immediate ceasefire in Afghanistan.

Referring to last week’s report of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on the Afghan situation, Jaishankar stressed that the intra-Afghan talks have yielded a reduction in violence. On the contrary, after May 1, there have been targeted attacks on religious and ethnic minorities, girl students, Afghan security forces, Ulemas, women occupying positions of responsibility, journalists, civil rights activists and youth.

“It is therefore crucial that the international community and, in particular, this Council presses for a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire to ensure immediate reduction in violence and protection of civilian lives,” he observed.

CNN is quoting UN special envoy on Afghanistan Deborah Lyons as saying on Tuesday, that as the United States continues its military withdrawal from the country for May 1, 50 out of Afghanistan’s 370 districts have fallen to Taliban terrorists.

“The Taliban recent advances are even more significant and are as a result of an intensified military campaign; more than 50 of Afghanistan’s 370 districts have fallen since the beginning of May,” Lyons told the UNSC.

Taliban

“Most districts that have been taken surround provincial capitals, suggesting that the Taliban are positioning themselves to try and take these capitals once foreign forces are fully withdrawn,” she added. Analysts say that instead of seeking a diplomatic solution, the Taliban appear to be pressing for a military solution, a throwback to the situation in 1996, when the Pak-backed group had overrun the country.

Second, Jaishankar pointed out that India fully supports the UN’s apex role in the conduct of international diplomacy to steer Afghanistan’s political transition.

“India welcomes any move towards a genuine political settlement and a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire in Afghanistan. We support a leading role for the United Nations, since that would help improve the odds for a lasting and durable outcome,” he said.

Jaishankar added that India has been supportive of all the efforts being made to accelerate the dialogue between the Afghan government and the Taliban, including the intra-Afghan negotiations.

The intra-Afghan outside the UN framework had kick-started after the US and the Taliban signed a landmark deal in Doha on February 29, 2020-a result of several rounds of negotiations. Before his UN address, Jaishankar had met US special representative on Afghanistan, Almay Khalilzad in Doha. The Qatari authorities have also confirmed that Indian delegates have met the Taliban in the group’s international office in Doha.

(This content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com)

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‘Quad fills the gap in contemporary times’: Jaishankar

Dr S. Jaishankar (WAM)

India’s External Affairs Minister said QUAD – Quadrilateral Security Dialogue has filled the gap that has emerged in contemporary times where there are global or regional requirements, reports Reena Bhardwaj

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is on a five-day US visit, discussed wide range of issues related to shared priorities and regional security challenges including Quad during his meeting with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.

Regarding Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) consisting of India, the US, Japan and Australia, Jaishankar said “the strategic group has filled the gap that has emerged in contemporary times where there are global or regional requirements.”

ALSO READ – Jaishankar, Blinken, affirm strong India-US ties

“Quad fills a very important gap that has emerged in contemporary times,which cannot be filled by a single country, which cannot even be furthered by one bilateral relationship, and which is not being addressed at the multilateral level, Jaishankar added.

QUAD
Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar meets US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin in Washington. (Photo:https://twitter.com/DrSJaishankar)

Quad alliance is seen by Beijing as a part of efforts to counter China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific region. In an effort to strengthen Indo-Pacific cooperation through the Quad, the alliance had earlier discussed maritime security, connectivity, including technology issues, supply chain issues, vaccine production.

“So, there are a whole set of issues in the world have many, many concerns, you know, the many concerns have to be addressed by somebody, I mean, big countries can do a large portion of it, big relationships can add to it. But at the end of the day, most things work better if a group of countries sit together and say, okay, we all have similar positions and similar interest, and why don’t we all sit and address those sets of issues? So that’s how we see Quad we see what I mean, is an expression of the convergence of interests of many countries, it is, in many ways, a reflection of the contemporary nature of the world,” said Jaishankar.

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar meets US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin (Photo: @DrSJaishankar/Twitter)

He also said that both the countries have also shared their concerns over China’s problematic activities, coup in Myanmar and COVID-19 origin tracing.

“On China, we shared concerns about Southern China’s problematic activities in the region, and it becomes increasingly like-minded on these issues. On the coup in Burma, the US and India have called for an end to the violence, urged the release of political prisoners, and called for the restoration of democracy,” informed DeanThompson, the Acting Assistant Secretary, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs in his briefing to reporters.

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar meets NSA Jake Sullivan (Credit: @DrSJaishankar/Twitter)

Talking about Afghanistan, Jaishankar said, “There is a recognition, clearly in the United States as indeed in many other countries. You know, when you talk about the future of Afghanistan, India, is an important part of that conversation. Just as when we look at Afghanistan, clearly, you know, given the American presence over many years, it is something that we will be discussing.”

During his meeting with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, the issue of Afghanistan came up.

US troops will be withdrawing from Afghanistan by September 2021 and many fears that the withdrawal of foreign troops will lead to unrest in the war-torn country.

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar US Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines (Photo: @DrSJaishankar/Twitter)

“The possible scenarios, once the US military draws down is obviously something which is, which matters us, it matters very much. It matters to the United States, and it has a larger regional presence. So, in one of these meetings, this subject came up. I don’t think it was so much an issue of what is India’s role, I mean, India has interest, India has influence, India has stakes, India has a history.”

India had offered Afghanistan, a nascent democracy, an assistance package of USD 1 billion. It is the 5th largest donor to Afghanistan, providing development reconstruction assistance of USD 2 billion since 2001. Also, it supports Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled development of the war-torned nation.

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar eets US Trade Representative Katherine Tai (Photo @DrSJaishankar/Twitter)

Regarding, India’s position on COVID-19 origin tracing, Jaishankar said that WHO convened a global study on origin of COVID-19 and that is an important first step.

“The probe stressed the need for next phase of studies to reach robust conclusion. So, that is the position which we have taken and the matter,” said Jaishankar. (ANI)

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