Jaishankar Sends Strong Message: India Not Intimidated by Pakistan’s Nuclear Threat
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has described India as a civilizational nation, pluralistic democracy, source of talent, diplomatic bridge and voice of the global south. He expressed hope that India will soon be able to reach a trade deal with US President Donald Trump's administration. External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar shared his views on India's role and position in an exclusive conversation with Newsweek CEO Dave Pragad.
Regarding the trade deal with the US, Jaishankar said, "We are in the midst of a very complex trade negotiation, hopefully more in the middle than in the middle. My hope would be that we take it to a successful conclusion. I cannot guarantee, because there is another side to that discussion. I believe it is possible and I think we will have to keep an eye on this area for the next few days."
He said Trump and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi have had a friendly relationship. Jaishankar also underlined the importance of relations between countries within the Quad of countries acting as a counterweight to China in the Asia-Pacific region. He said you have four countries, in a way the four corners of the Indo-Pacific, who have actually decided that they have a shared interest in creating a stable or more prosperous Indo-Pacific and they are willing to work on a pragmatic basis.
He also said that India wants to maintain good relations with neighbouring China. Jaishankar said that we have very good coordination with America. Also, we are China's biggest neighbour.
In the interview, a question was also raised about the proposal of talks with Pakistan. Which the Foreign Minister rejected outright. He said, "We are now adopting such a policy in which terrorists will not be spared. We do not believe that terrorists are only proxies and the state has no fault. Pakistan is fully involved in this matter. India will attack the terrorists and protect its people. Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif talked about peace talks, but Jaishankar made it clear that talks on other issues are not possible amid terrorism."
He said that terrorism cannot be used as a weapon to pressurize a neighbor. A good neighbor and a terrorist cannot exist together. Pakistan will have to end terrorism. Along with this, he also made it clear that we are not going to be afraid of the threat of nuclear weapons. We will take necessary steps to protect our people.
Jaishankar also talked about India's peace proposal to reduce or end the conflict between Israel and Iran. He said that India has a good relationship with both Israel and Iran. India is one of the few countries in the world that can talk to both openly and honestly. India has tried to do this before. He said that this issue is very complex and cannot be resolved easily. But if we can help in any way, whether it is for Israel, Iran, America or IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency), we are ready.
Jaishankar further said that the change in US policies is bringing about a major change in the world order. The earlier alliance-centric world is now diminishing. Now countries are pursuing their interests more independently. He said that the rise of China and India, the position of Russia and countries giving priority to their own interests are taking the world in a more individual and independent direction.