Jaishankar’s UNGA Address: A Strong Message on Pakistan’s Double Standards

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed the UNGA, emphasizing India’s determination to respond decisively to Pakistan’s dual tactics and terrorism while advocating for modifications to the Indus Water Treaty. His remarks dismantled Pakistan’s narratives linking Kashmir to Gaza, asserting India’s focus on reclaiming occupied territories and addressing the terrorism issue before any dialogue can proceed. Jaishankar’s speech underscores a more aggressive Indian foreign policy approach toward Pakistan, highlighting the karmic consequences of Pakistan’s actions.

External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar delivered a noteworthy speech at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), emphasizing India’s firm stance against Pakistan’s perceived double standards and nefarious activities in the region. This address follows India’s request for modifications to the 1960 Indus Water Treaty, a move prompted by Pakistan’s persistent cross-border terrorism, which has impeded India’s utilization rights concerning water resources dictated by the treaty. It was noted that Pakistan has not responded to India’s notification served on August 30, 2024. In his speech, Minister Jaishankar signified that actions from Pakistan would elicit responses from India that extend beyond mere military reactions. His remarks came strategically ahead of upcoming discussions at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, scheduled to be held in Islamabad. He articulated that Pakistan’s economic condition is intertwined with its levels of radicalization, asserting that India intends to reclaim it’s position in occupied Kashmir while dismantling Pakistan’s terrorist activities. Moreover, while Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attempted to draw links between the situations in Gaza and Kashmir, Jaishankar unequivocally dismantled this narrative, underlining India’s clarity regarding Islamabad’s dual strategy. He characterized Pakistan’s plight as karmic retribution, stating it has been reduced to a ‘pauper state’. This statement underscores the Modi administration’s readiness to respond assertively to threats against India and reinforces its policy vision that views Pakistan’s existence through the lens of its hostility towards India. In essence, Jaishankar’s address serves as a clarion call to both Pakistan and its domestic supporters, signaling that the Indian government will not remain passive in the face of provocations.

The geopolitical tension between India and Pakistan has a long-standing history, primarily revolving around territorial disputes such as the Kashmir issue. The 1960 Indus Water Treaty, which governs the sharing of river waters, has increasingly come under strain due to rising cross-border terrorism from Pakistan into Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir. India has been amplifying its diplomatic efforts to recalibrate this treaty in light of ongoing security breaches. Jaishankar’s speech at the UNGA is part of India’s broader strategy to counter Pakistan’s narrative on global platforms, ensuring that India’s position on sensitive issues is firmly articulated while signaling readiness to respond proactively to any provocations.

Minister Jaishankar’s address at the UNGA clearly articulated India’s unyielding stance towards Pakistan’s dual narratives and its refusal to tolerate cross-border terrorism. Through his remarks, he established that any continued aggression from Pakistan would result in proportionate and robust responses from India. This marks a significant shift in India’s diplomatic engagement with Pakistan, reinforcing the notion that Pakistan’s actions will not go without consequence. The forthcoming SCO summit is likely to further test these diplomatic waters, with India poised to assert its stance on these critical issues.

Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com