Dr. S. Jaishankar: Kashmir Resolution Tied to Return of Illegally Occupied Territory

Dr. S. Jaishankar asserts that the Kashmir issue will be resolved only when Pakistan returns the illegally occupied territory. He highlighted the evolving US-India relations under President Trump and the necessity of a bilateral trade agreement. Additionally, he addressed India’s stance on the US dollar and the diverse opinions among BRICS nations regarding currency dominance.

In a recent discussion at Chatham House in London, India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, emphasized that the Kashmir issue would be resolved only when Pakistan returns the territory it occupies illegally. He noted that while significant progress has been made following the abrogation of Article 370, the full resolution hinges on the return of the stolen part of Kashmir. In his words, “I think the part we are waiting for is the return of the stolen part of Kashmir, which is under an illegal Pakistani occupation. When that is done, I assure you, Kashmir solved.”

Furthermore, Dr. Jaishankar highlighted the evolving relationship between India and the United States under President Trump’s administration, which he argues is transitioning towards a multipolar world that aligns with India’s interests. He stated, “We see a president and an administration which, in our parlance, is moving towards multipolarity, and that is something that suits India.”

The EAM also cited the Quad alliance—the collaboration among India, the US, Australia, and Japan—as a successful model of cooperation, asserting that it ensures fair contribution among its members: “From President Trump’s perspective, the one big shared enterprise that we have is the Quad, which is an understanding where everybody pays their fair share. There are no free riders involved. So that’s a good model which works.”

On trade matters, Dr. Jaishankar confirmed that India and the US have mutually recognized the necessity of establishing a bilateral trade pact, particularly following discussions between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump. He indicated that negotiations were ongoing in Washington, led by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal.

The EAM also touched upon various other topics, including India’s relations with China and the potential for internationalizing the Indian rupee. He articulated India’s perspective on the dominance of the US dollar, affirming, “I don’t believe there is any policy on our part to replace the dollar. At the end of the day, the dollar as a reserve currency contributes to international economic stability, and what the world needs right now is more stability, not less.” Dr. Jaishankar further dismissed the idea of a unified BRICS position against the dollar, emphasizing the diversity of opinions within the group, especially with its recent enlargement.

In summary, Dr. S. Jaishankar’s remarks underscore India’s firm stance regarding Kashmir’s status, linking its resolution with the return of territory occupied by Pakistan. His insights into US-India relations and the importance of bilateral trade signify India’s strategic involvement on the global stage. Furthermore, his views on currency stability reinforce a commitment to global economic equilibrium rather than division.

Original Source: www.indianewsnetwork.com