External Affairs minister Subramaniam Jaishankar on June 11, 2024, outlined distinct approaches to handling relations with China and Pakistan asserting that India’s foreign policy under the third term of PM Narendra Modi will focus on finding solutions to border issues with Beijing and years old cross-border terrorism with Islamabad.
Ahead of assuming charge on June 11, 2024, the after being sworn in as the country’s foreign minister for the second time, the career diplomat politician noted that both neighbouring countries present unique challenges and India’s relations with them are different. “Our focus regarding China will be on finding solutions for the border issues, Jaishankar said on June 11 signalling India’s commitment to resolving territorial disputes through dialogue and diplomatic channels.
India has time and again faced border issues with China and the situation escalated in 2020 in Galwan where Indian and Chinese army troops clashed coinciding with the advent of the pandemic. India, in January 2024, while reiterating its long-standing position on China said, the two countries continue to engage on the diplomatic and military sides for some sort of resolution.
Meanwhile, addressing the issue of cross border terrorism emanating from Pakistan, the 69-year-old minister emphasised the India’s determination to seek a resolution “With Pakistan we would want to find a solution to the issue of years of cross-border terrorism,” Jaishankar said. India has emphasised that it will not tolerate cross border terrorism to improve its ties with Pakistan. New Delhi has also said its onus on Islamabad to create a conducive atmosphere in which there is not terror, hostility and violence.
Jaishankar, a prominent BJP figure, who has navigated India’s diplomatic strategies during PM Narendra Modi’s tenure reassumed his responsibilities as the External Affairs Minister at the MEA office South Block, New Delhi. Jaishankar also displayed optimism under PM Modi ‘s leadership on fulfilling India’s aspirations for having a seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) within the next five years. Further, he emphasised the multi-faceted growth of India’s influence of global stage.
“It has different aspects and I am fully confident that under PM Modi’s leadership, foreign policy of Modi 3.0 will be very successful. For us, the influence of India has been steadily growing, not just in terms of our own perception but also what the other countries think, Jaishankar,” a Rajya Sabha (Upper House) member said.
Highlighting India’s role as a steadfast ally to the Global South, Jaishankar underscored the country’s commitment during times of crisis and its increasing responsibilities on the international platform. “They feel that India is their true friend and they have seen this in times of crisis, if there is one country that stands together with the Global South, it is India, the country’s foreign minister said.
“They have seen that when we put forward the African Union membership during the G20 the world trusted us and our responsibilities are also increasing so we believe that under the leadership of PM Modi, India’s identity in the world will definitely increase,” Jaishankar said. After assuming charge, as the Minister of External Affairs thanked PM Modi for entrusting him with these responsibilities said Jaishankar on the social media.
“Assumed charge as the Minister of External Affairs. Thank PM Narendra Modi for assigning me this responsibility,” said Jaishankar in a social media post X. Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra and Pawan Kapoor (West) welcomed Jaishankar with a bouquet of flowers on his first day of the office in the new PM led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government.
The stalwart BJP MP in Rajya Sabha from Gujarat since 2019, Jaishankar who has made headlines for his witty replies and oratory skills is at the centre stage in PM Modi ‘s team shaping India’s foreign policy for the past decade. Prior to being the External Affairs Minister in 2019, he also served as India’s foreign Secretary from 2015- 2018. Notably, he also became the first Foreign Secretary to assume the role of an External Affairs Minister.
