EAM Dr. Jaishankar stated that the Kashmir conflict will be resolved once Pakistan returns the “stolen part” of the region. He discussed India-U.S. relations under President Trump, emphasizing the Quad alliance. The need for a bilateral trade pact was highlighted, along with India’s stance on the dollar’s role in global stability and differing views within BRICS about currency multipolarity.
India’s External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar emphasized that the Kashmir issue will only be resolved when Pakistan returns what he termed the “stolen part” of Kashmir, currently under illegal occupation. He indicated that while much of the conflict has been addressed through development and elections post-Article 370 removal, the final resolution hinges on this territorial return. Dr. Jaishankar stated, “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.”
During his discussion at Chatham House in London, Dr. Jaishankar also analyzed India’s relationship with the United States under President Donald Trump, noting the U.S.’s movement towards a multipolar world aligns with India’s interests. He mentioned that the Trump administration views the Quad alliance—comprising India, the U.S., Australia, and Japan—as a successful cooperative model, stating, “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.”
On the topic of trade, he indicated progress towards a bilateral trade agreement between India and the U.S., following discussions between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump. Dr. Jaishankar pointed out that Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal is in Washington to advance these negotiations, stating, “We had a very open conversation about it (tariffs), and the result of that conversation was that we agreed on the need for a bilateral trade agreement.”
Additionally, Dr. Jaishankar discussed India’s approach to international economic matters, including its relationship with China, the rupee’s internationalization, and the role of the U.S. dollar. He clarified that there is no Indian policy aimed at replacing the dollar, highlighting its importance for global stability. He stated, “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.”
Lastly, Dr. Jaishankar responded to assumptions regarding BRICS’s unified stance against the dollar. He asserted that member nations hold varied perspectives on this topic, especially after the group’s recent expansion. “The assumption that BRICS has a united position against the dollar is not supported by facts. While multipolarity exists, that does not necessarily mean it has to extend to currency multipolarity” – he concluded.
In summary, EAM Dr. Jaishankar underscored that a resolution to the Kashmir issue is contingent on Pakistan returning the disputed territory to India. He also highlighted the evolving India-U.S. relations under the current administration, focusing on trade agreements and the Quad alliance. Furthermore, he addressed broader economic factors, including the significance of the U.S. dollar and the diverse viewpoints within BRICS nations regarding currency multipolarity.
Original Source: www.indianewsnetwork.com
