EAM S Jaishankar rules out any talks with Pakistan

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External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said, India has a unique challenge from one neighbour and it would remain a challenge until the neighbour starts acting normally and acts against cross-border terrorism. Mr. Jaishankar also made it clear that with Pakistan, the issue is not Article 370 but cross-border terrorism and the first thing that has to come to table for any talks with Pakistan has to be the terrorism issue. He was briefing media in Delhi on first 100 days of his Ministry.

The External Affairs Minister reiterated that Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) is part of India and New Delhi expects to have physical jurisdiction over it one day. Mr. Jaishankar said, India’s position has been, is and will always be very clear on PoK that it is part of India. The Minister said, there is no need to worry about what people will say on abrogation of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir as it is India’s internal issue on which its position has prevailed and will prevail. Amidst concerns expressed by some countries and the UN human rights organisation over situation in Kashmir, he said, international audience understands what were India’s reasons for abrogating Article 370.

Talking about performance of the ministry in first 100 days, he said, one of the key achievements of the government in this period has been a strong connection between national security and foreign policy goals. He also said that India’s ability to shape the foreign agenda today is much more than before. He added that in big debates like G20 and BRICS, Indian views are now heard more clearly.