NEW DELHI: Cross-border terrorism cannot be the policy of a good neighbour, S Jaishankar said Tuesday responding to questions about ties with Pakistan. Shortly after taking charge as external affairs minister for the second time, Jaishankar also said relations with neighbours will be the first and overriding priority for the new NDA govt’s foreign policy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
According to the minister, Bharat First and Vasudheva Kutumbakam will be the guiding axioms for India’s foreign policy. On China, he said the focus will be on completing the disengagement process in eastern Ladakh.
“With Pakistan, we have the issue of terrorism – cross-border terrorism – how do we find a solution to it…that cannot be a policy of a good neighbour,” said the minister, talking to reporters after assuming office. He was asked about former Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif’s peace overture in his message to Modi and ties with Pakistan. On Nawaz’s message, Jaishankar recalled Modi’s response to it. Appreciating Nawaz’s message, Modi had stressed the significance of security in his response.
Asked about ties with China, Jaishankar said some issues remained along the border with that country and efforts will be made to resolve them. “Our focus with regard to China will be on how to resolve the remaining issues,” he said. India has repeatedly told China this is important for return of normalcy to ties.
“Bharat First” (India First) and Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one) will be the two guiding axioms of Indian foreign policy. Together, we are very confident it will position us as ‘Vishwa Bandhu’ – a country which is in a very turbulent world, in a very divided world, a world of conflicts and tensions, it would actually position us as a country which is trusted by many, whose prestige and influence will grow, whose interests will be advanced,” he said.
According to the minister, Bharat First and Vasudheva Kutumbakam will be the guiding axioms for India’s foreign policy. On China, he said the focus will be on completing the disengagement process in eastern Ladakh.
“With Pakistan, we have the issue of terrorism – cross-border terrorism – how do we find a solution to it…that cannot be a policy of a good neighbour,” said the minister, talking to reporters after assuming office. He was asked about former Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif’s peace overture in his message to Modi and ties with Pakistan. On Nawaz’s message, Jaishankar recalled Modi’s response to it. Appreciating Nawaz’s message, Modi had stressed the significance of security in his response.
Asked about ties with China, Jaishankar said some issues remained along the border with that country and efforts will be made to resolve them. “Our focus with regard to China will be on how to resolve the remaining issues,” he said. India has repeatedly told China this is important for return of normalcy to ties.
“Bharat First” (India First) and Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one) will be the two guiding axioms of Indian foreign policy. Together, we are very confident it will position us as ‘Vishwa Bandhu’ – a country which is in a very turbulent world, in a very divided world, a world of conflicts and tensions, it would actually position us as a country which is trusted by many, whose prestige and influence will grow, whose interests will be advanced,” he said.