EAM S. Jaishankar claims the Kashmir conflict is mostly resolved, awaiting Pakistan’s return of occupied territory. He outlines India’s approach involving Article 370 abrogation, economic growth, and elections. Jaishankar also addresses the India-US trade agreement discussions amid Trump’s tariffs and mentions recent India-Pakistan diplomatic exchanges.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated that the Kashmir conflict is “mostly resolved” and that India is awaiting the return of the “stolen part” currently under Pakistani control. During a talk at Chatham House in London, he responded to audience inquiries regarding India’s steps towards resolving the Kashmir issue, emphasizing that the abrogation of Article 370 marked the first step toward this resolution.
He elaborated that the second step involves promoting economic growth and social justice in the Kashmir region, while the third step includes conducting elections with high voter turnout. Jaishankar expressed optimism that the resolution of the Kashmir issue would be fully accomplished when the territory currently occupied by Pakistan is returned.
In other topics, Jaishankar highlighted the first direct dialogue between India and Pakistan since 2015, which took place in October of the previous year during his visit to Islamabad for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting, suggesting discussions on potentially reinitiating cricketing relations between the nations.
Addressing India-US relations, Jaishankar commented on the tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump, noting that Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is in Washington to negotiate the future of a trade agreement. He mentioned that both nations engaged in candid discussions about tariffs and recognized the necessity of establishing a bilateral trade agreement.
In summary, EAM S. Jaishankar emphasized that the Kashmir issue remains partially unresolved due to Pakistan’s occupation. He outlined India’s multi-step approach to resolving this matter, which includes constitutional amendments, economic improvements, and democratic processes. Furthermore, he provided insights into the evolving India-Pakistan dialogue and the significance of trade negotiations with the United States in the context of tariffs.
Original Source: www.financialexpress.com
