Do not agree to any change in status quo
Speaking at an interactive session at a think-tank in Paris, Jaishankar said he was optimistic about resolving the issue through dialogue and significant progress has been made on several points of conflict after talks between military commanders of the two sides. . We are absolutely clear that we will not agree to any change in the status quo. Any attempt to unilaterally change the LAC is not acceptable. So no matter how complicated it is, how long it takes, how difficult it is, I think clarity will guide us.
The goal is to remove the army
Jaishankar said that disengaging the army is the goal at this time and we are hopeful about the resolution of the issues. “I would say that apart from optimism, it is very important to have perseverance. Trust me, I have such qualities and it will be fully supported in our system too. We will continue this and disengagement is the target at this point of time. Because only when that happens can we start talking about reducing stress. Jaishankar reached Paris on a three-day visit on Sunday after a two-day visit to Germany.
I am optimistic by nature…
The External Affairs Minister said that the two sides held several rounds of talks between military commanders, focusing on disengagement. We have made significant progress on several conflict points. There are some points which are still to be resolved. The 14th round of military talks was held last month, during which India pressed for early withdrawal of troops at other conflict points. Jaishankar stressed that India is looking at the matter with clarity. He said, I am optimistic. I am an optimist by nature because if you are into diplomacy and negotiation, it is absolutely necessary that you be optimistic.
The occupation of some countries on the supply chain became a means of political coercion.
Jaishankar says that there are many risks of making the global supply chain dependent on a few countries. It has become a means of political coercion. In a statement given at the French Institute of International Relations during his three-day visit to France, he said that today when the world is in many poles, the economic system should also be spread in many poles.
India-French relations are free from the danger of sudden change
The External Affairs Minister said that the relations between India and France are based on trust and free from danger of sudden change. Together they can make many countries in the Indo-Pacific more sovereign and able to make their own decisions. It can also save them from the conflict of two superpowers. He said that India sees France as an important partner for development in the defense and industrial sectors.
1998 cooperation also reminded
Jaishankar reminded that France was the first nuclear power after India’s nuclear tests in 1998, which understood our regional strategic needs. With the help of France, India got international cooperation in 2008, despite not being a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group. He described France as the bridge connecting India with the European Union.
India will work with neighbor-first thinking
Considering ‘neighbors first’, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar said on Wednesday that India has to come forward to help neighboring countries in various problems. This is the right time for this. He told through video conferencing in the Asia Economic Dialogue that in countries like Sri Lanka, COVID has caused a lot of damage. Citizens in many countries are struggling with health problems. He informed that India is supplying vaccines to Afghanistan and Myanmar today. At the same time, it is necessary to maintain the supply of fuel and other essential commodities in Sri Lanka after the international balance of payments deteriorates.
Do not derail the process for democratic transformation in Myanmar
On his visit to the European Union, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar said in response to a question on Myanmar that the process for democratic transformation there should not be derailed. He said that India has always cooperated with the democratic forces, the Bangladesh independence war of 1971 being an example of this. When the military rule ended in Myanmar last time, India played a special role in it because of Aung San Suu Kyi, who grew up in India. This time also India wants the return of democracy like the whole world.
Discussion on economic cooperation and development with Singapore
Jaishankar discussed economic cooperation and regional development with Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan. The talks, which took place on the sidelines of the Ministerial Forum in the European Union, also included topics on increasing cooperation with ASEAN and resuming visits closed during the pandemic.