External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar has said that India’s “long-suffering approach” in the past had created the danger of normalising terror.
“That is why Uri and Balakot sent a much-needed message. On the northern borders, China is today seeking to change the status quo by bringing large forces and violations of our agreements. Despite the Covid, remember this happened in May of 2020, our counter-response was strong and firm,” he said at a function in Chennai on Saturday.
He asserted that India would have been the largest country in the world, and not China, had the Partition not taken place in 1947. The gory episode had actually reduced the nation’s size cutting off many regions.
He maintained that India matters when the world sees a nation that “will not be coerced. And because it can make a real difference to global security.”
He also said, in the comity of nations, India will matter when it returns to history and recognizes “our extended neighbourhoods. Also, when we reclaim our history.”
Speaking at the 53rd annual function of the newspaper ‘Tughlaq’ in Chennai, the External Affairs Minister said India will do whatever it takes to ensure its national security.
India’s counter-responses to China and Pakistan on border issues showed that the nation will not be coerced by anybody, the External Affairs Minister said.
He added that the airstrike conducted by the Air Force had sent the much-needed message across. India used airpower for the first time during the Balakot air strike against a terror camp in 2019 in response to the Pulwama terror attack.
Dr Jaishankar highlighted India’s increased global relevance and influence under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
He emphasized India’s geo-political significance and stated that “Without our active participation, no trans-Asia connectivity initiative can really take off”.
“India’s working democracy is an important reason for the world why it matters,” the Minister said adding, India matters at the world stage because global opportunities and challenges cannot be separated and India counts on both scores.
“India matters when it is perceived as an exemplar by many in the Global South. And because there are few others who have taken our Development Partnership approach…. India matters when it makes a greater contribution to global production and services,” Dr Jaishankar said.
He further said, “Rising India wants to engage the world more, not less. India will matter more when it is more authentically India”. Moreover, he pointed out that India’s diplomacy is today keeping pace with a changing world.
“Importantly, a 360-degree outlook under Modi Govt is the reason why India matters,” he said.
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