South Asia

India to 'find solutions' for border issues with China, Pak's cross-border terrorism: Jaishankar

Published: 12:23, 11 June 2024

In outlining the foreign policy priorities for the BJP-led NDA Government's third term, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasized on Tuesday that India aims to resolve the ongoing border disputes with China and address Pakistan's long-standing cross-border terrorism.

S. Jaishankar, who has been the face of India’s assertive foreign policy, assumed charge for a second consecutive term in the South Block.
Speaking to reporters, he stated, 'Our primary focus regarding China will be on resolving the continuing border issues. With Pakistan, we aim to find a solution to the persistent issue of cross-border terrorism... We need a strategy that ensures this cannot remain a policy.'
He further highlighted, 'In any nation, particularly in a democracy, it is significant for a government to be elected three times consecutively. This signals to the world that there is substantial political stability in India. Concerning Pakistan and China, our relations and the issues we face with each are distinct.'
Following the swearing-in of the Council of Ministers, Pakistan's former prime minister and PML(N) leader Nawaz Sharif extended a message to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, acknowledging the BJP's recent electoral success as a reflection of public confidence in his leadership. Sharif posted on X, advocating for replacing hate with hope and seizing the opportunity to shape the destiny of the two billion people in South Asia.
Modi responded within a couple of hours, affirming that 'the people of India have always supported peace, security, and progressive ideas,' and emphasized that 'advancing the well-being and security of our people shall always remain our priority,' sending a clear message to Sharif that countering terrorism is a top priority.
Jaishankar also expressed confidence in the success of India's foreign policy under PM Modi's leadership, despite the challenging global circumstances marked by the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the ongoing unrest in West Asia.