Dr. Jaishankar Discusses Kashmir, India-US Relations, and Economic Stability
Dr. S. Jaishankar stated that the Kashmir issue will only be resolved once Pakistan returns the “stolen part” of Kashmir. He discussed the importance of India-US relations, the need for a bilateral trade agreement, and addressed issues regarding the dollar’s dominance and BRICS dynamics. He asserted that a unified stance against the dollar does not exist within BRICS countries.
External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar emphasized that the Kashmir issue could only be resolved once Pakistan returns what he termed the “stolen part” of the region, currently under illegal occupation. During a session at Chatham House in London, he asserted that although significant progress has been made, including the removal of Article 370 and the promotion of development and electoral processes, a final resolution hinges on Pakistan’s action to return the territory. Dr. Jaishankar stated, “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.”
In discussing India’s relations with the United States under President Donald Trump, Dr. Jaishankar noted the alignment with India’s interests through a shift towards a multipolar world. He remarked, “We see a president and an administration which… is moving towards multipolarity, and that is something that suits India.” The External Affairs Minister highlighted the Quad alliance—comprising India, the United States, Australia, and Japan—as an illustrative model of collaboration, underscoring that all participants contribute equally. He added, “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 conveyed that India and the United States had mutually recognized the necessity of establishing a bilateral trade agreement following discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Trump. He mentioned that Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal was actively engaged in negotiations in Washington, stating, “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.”
Moreover, he addressed India’s stance on various issues such as the country’s relationship with China, the internationalization of the Indian rupee, and the role of the US dollar in the global monetary system. He indicated that India does not aim to replace the dollar, noting its importance for global economic stability. Dr. Jaishankar remarked, “I don’t believe there is any policy on our part to replace the dollar… what the world needs right now is more stability, not less.” Furthermore, he countered the notion of a unified BRICS stance against the dollar, stating diverse opinions exist among member nations, particularly with recent expansions. “The assumption that BRICS has a united position against the dollar is not supported by facts,” he added.
In summary, Dr. S. Jaishankar’s remarks indicate a firm stance on the Kashmir issue contingent upon Pakistan’s return of the occupied territory. He highlighted the positive trajectory of India-US relations, the need for a bilateral trade pact, and addressed broader economic themes such as the dollar’s role and the varied perspectives within BRICS. Through these discussions, he underscored India’s commitment to a multipolar world and economic stability.
Original Source: www.indianewsnetwork.com
