ديجيتال فابلت

الوسم: Jaishankar

  • China urges India to see bilateral relations as partnership, not rivalry

    China urges India to see bilateral relations as partnership, not rivalry

    Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (left) with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. — X@DrSJaishankar/File

    • The foreign ministers of China and India discuss border peace and trade initiatives aimed at strengthening their relationship.

    • Wang Yi mentions that dialogue with India has been gradually re-established.

    • Wang arrived in Delhi on Monday for a two-day diplomatic visit.

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    BEIJING/NEW DELHI: According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, China and India should develop a “correct strategic understanding” and view each other as partners rather than rivals.

    China is prepared to promote principles of friendship and mutual benefit in its interactions with India, as highlighted in the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s statement following ministers’ talks in New Delhi.

    During their meeting, Wang Yi and Subrahmanyam Jaishankar addressed issues including border stability, trade, and bilateral exchanges, with a focus on enhancing cooperation between the two nations.

    “We had constructive discussions covering our economic and trade relations, pilgrimages, cultural exchanges, river data sharing, border trade, connectivity, and people-to-people contacts,” Jaishankar noted.

    He emphasized that these talks will help foster a stable, cooperative, and forward-looking relationship between India and China.

    Wang Yi stated that exchanges and dialogue at all levels have been steadily restored, signaling a return to cooperative relations, as per Chinese reports.

    Wang also called on both countries — as major global players — to set an example for other developing nations by uniting and strengthening their positions, according to the official statement.

    He urged that China and India should cultivate a “correct strategic understanding,” treating each other as partners and opportunities rather than threats or competitors.

    Wang arrived in India’s capital on Monday for a two-day visit, during which he plans to hold the 24th round of border talks with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

    Earlier, Jaishankar highlighted the significance of discussing border issues, noting that maintaining peace along the disputed Himalayan border is fundamental for positive bilateral momentum.

    “Our relationship has faced some challenging periods, but now both countries are looking to move forward through honest and constructive dialogue,” Jaishankar told Wang in his opening remarks.

    He also stressed the importance of troop de-escalation along the contested border since the deadly clash in 2020.

    Wang’s visit precedes Modi’s upcoming trip to China — his first in seven years — to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, which includes Russia as a member.

    Relations between the two Asian giants started to improve in October after they agreed on a milestone pact to reduce military tensions in their Himalayan border regions, following talks between President Xi Jinping and Modi in Russia.

    Tensions escalated significantly after a military skirmish in summer 2020 that resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers and four Chinese soldiers.

  • US Alerted Modi to Pakistani Attack Risk Without Compliance: Jaishankar

    US Alerted Modi to Pakistani Attack Risk Without Compliance: Jaishankar

    Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar speaks to the media after the Quad Ministerial Meeting in Tokyo on July 29, 2024. — Reuters

    Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar disclosed that U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance alerted Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the possibility of a major attack by Pakistan on the night of May 9. Vance urged India to agree to certain conditions to avoid escalation.

    The recent attack in Pahalgam on April 22 escalated tensions between the nuclear-armed nations of Pakistan and India, as India attributed the violence to Pakistan without presenting any tangible evidence.

    In a conversation with a U.S. news source, Jaishankar recounted that Vice President Vance contacted Prime Minister Modi directly to warn him that Pakistan would initiate a substantial military offensive if India did not make certain concessions.

    “I was present when the U.S. Vice President communicated this to Prime Minister Modi on the night of May 9, emphasizing that if we didn’t agree on specific points, a significant attack from Pakistan was imminent,” Jaishankar said.

    “That night, an extensive attack did occur,” Jaishankar confirmed.

    Recently, the “Quad,” a strategic alliance involving the U.S., India, Japan, and Australia, refrained from naming Pakistan in a joint statement condemning the Pahalgam incident.

    The U.S. State Department released a statement from the foreign ministers of the Quad members during their meeting in Washington but notably did not mention or assign blame to Pakistan.

    Last month, both Pakistan and India engaged in military confrontations prompted by the April Pahalgam attack.

    In retaliation for India’s actions, Pakistan’s armed forces launched a significant military response named “Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos,” targeting various Indian military facilities across multiple regions.

    Pakistan claimed to have downed six of its own fighter jets, including three Rafales, along with numerous drones. After approximately 87 hours of conflict, the fighting between the two nuclear powers concluded on May 10 with a ceasefire agreement mediated by the United States.

    The ceasefire was initially announced by U.S. President Donald Trump via social media after discussions with both parties. However, India has disagreed with Trump’s assertion that the ceasefire was a product of his intervention and threats to cut off trade talks.

    Conversely, Pakistan has acknowledged Trump’s role in the negotiations and has formally endorsed him for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, citing his contribution to easing tensions between Pakistan and India last month.

  • Jaishankar: India and Canada Work to Repair Diplomatic Relations

    Jaishankar: India and Canada Work to Repair Diplomatic Relations

    India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar (left) and Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand. —Facebook/@drsjaishankar/@AnitaOakville/File

    • Jaishankar mentions discussions on the potential for enhanced India-Canada relations.
    • He expressed wishes for Anand to have a very productive term.
    • Canada hosts the largest Sikh community outside of India.

    NEW DELHI: India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar has confirmed that he communicated with his Canadian counterpart as both nations aim to improve their strained relations.

    The telephone conversation, which occurred late Sunday, marks the highest diplomatic engagement between Canada and India since Mark Carney became Prime Minister in March.

    Relations have been tense following allegations of India’s involvement in the 2023 assassination of a Canadian Sikh leader, which India has vehemently denied.

    During their conversation, Jaishankar discussed the potential for strengthening India-Canada relations with the newly appointed Foreign Minister Anita Anand and wished her well in her new role.

    India, Canada seek to mend diplomatic ties, claims Jaishankar

    Anand, whose parents are of Indian descent, expressed on X her eagerness to “enhance Canada-India relations, boost economic collaboration, and advance common priorities.”

    Canada is home to the largest Sikh population outside of India, including activists for “Khalistan,” a separatist movement advocating for an independent state for Sikhs carved from Indian territory.

    Ottawa previously accused India of orchestrating the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a 45-year-old Canadian citizen and prominent Khalistan supporter, in Vancouver, alleging that India also targeted other Sikh activists associated with the movement.

    India has consistently rejected these accusations, which have led to a significant decline in diplomatic relations, with both countries expelling several top diplomats last year.

    The Khalistan movement dates back to India’s independence in 1947 and has been associated with significant incidents, including the assassination of a Prime Minister and the bombing of a commercial airliner.

    This issue continues to create friction between India and numerous Western nations with substantial Sikh populations.

    India has called for stronger action against the Khalistan movement, which is prohibited within its borders, with key figures labeled as “terrorists.”

    Next month, Canada will host the G7 summit. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited to previous summits starting in 2019 when France extended an invitation to him in Biarritz. There are currently no details regarding an invitation for Modi to attend the upcoming summit in Canada.

  • Opposition Criticizes Jaishankar’s Dodging on Trump’s Mediation Role

    Opposition Criticizes Jaishankar’s Dodging on Trump’s Mediation Role

    Title: Tensions Rise in India-Pakistan Relations Over US Involvement

    Image Caption: Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar engages in a US-India higher education dialogue at Howard University’s Founders Library, Washington, DC, on April 12, 2022. — Reuters

    Key Highlights:

    • Rahul Gandhi Challenges Modi’s Silence on US Intervention.
    • Controversial Interview Clip Sparks Debate on Transparency.
    • Accusations Against Modi for Using Crisis as Self-Promotion.

    KARACHI — Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar faced intense scrutiny from opposition parties and garnered widespread attention on social media after a confrontational exchange with a foreign journalist. This interaction raised questions about the role of the United States and former President Donald Trump’s efforts to mitigate escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, as reported by The News.

    During the interview, the journalist persistently probed Jaishankar on whether Trump had contributed to easing the discord between the two nuclear powers. The questioning grew sharper, with the reporter asking, “Have you detained the culprits involved in the killings of 26 individuals in Pahalgam? Is there an operation underway for their arrest? What influence did the US have in this situation?”

    While Jaishankar did acknowledge some US involvement in diffusing the tensions, many perceived his responses as evasive. At one point, he remarked that the US “was in the United States during the process.”

    The exchange quickly gained traction on Indian social media. Supporters of the ruling BJP, often referred to as ‘bhakt trolls’, praised Jaishankar’s replies. Conversely, opposition parties—most notably the Indian National Congress—used the incident to emphasize what they view as the government’s lack of transparency and accountability.

    The Congress party shared a brief clip of the interview across its social media platforms, highlighting Jaishankar’s apparent unease as the journalist discussed Operation Sindoor. They posted, “Why is the foreign minister struggling to articulate his thoughts?”.

    Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also took to social media, challenging the government with questions like, “Who invited the US president to mediate? Why hasn’t any major country expressed support for us? Why is the Modi administration remaining silent on these pressing issues?”

    The controversy partially stems from a May 10 post by former President Trump on his platform, Truth Social, claiming that India and Pakistan had agreed to a ceasefire. While Pakistan seemed to confirm this agreement, India’s response has been mixed, consistently acknowledging and then refuting any US involvement.

    Seizing on this ambiguity, the Congress party intensified its critique of both the BJP and Prime Minister Modi. A recent post juxtaposed the actions of Rahul Gandhi with those of PM Modi following the Pahalgam terrorist attack and Operation Sindoor, labeling it a case of "One Nation, Two Leaders."

    In the post, the Congress asserted, “After the Pahalgam Attack: Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi rushed to Kashmir, standing in solidarity with the families of the victims… PM Modi, however, was notably absent. He skipped an all-party meeting and instead mingled with Bollywood celebrities.”

    The party further illuminated the differing responses to Operation Sindoor, contrasting Gandhi’s call for a special parliamentary session and his probing questions about the ceasefire and trust in Pakistan against Modi’s silence regarding Trump’s role. The critique implied that Modi was more focused on using the situation for personal gain than on addressing the pressing issues at hand.

    The statement concluded by underscoring Gandhi’s visit to Poonch to support victims of cross-border shelling, while accusing Modi of leveraging the crisis for self-promotion. “The difference is stark. One leader chooses empathy and accountability, while the other turns a national crisis into a personal campaign,” the party declared.