External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday sent a stern message to Pakistan and China while interacting with the Indian community in Cyprus. India wants good neighborly relations with all, but that does not mean “apologising” for terrorism, the foreign minister said in a veiled dig, without naming Pakistan. On border issues with China, Jaishankar said India will never agree to any attempt to unilaterally change the Line of Actual Control.
The statements come days after Indian and Chinese troops clashed in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang sector on December 9. The government said there were no casualties on the Indian side, giving a befitting reply to the Chinese troops. On the other hand, on the issue of terrorism, India and Pakistan recently traded barbs at the United Nations.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also said “No country has suffered as much from terrorism as we have and we have made it clear that we will never accept or normalize it. We will never allow terrorism to force us to the negotiating table. We want good neighborly relations with everyone, but that does not mean excusing or turning a blind eye or rationalizing terrorism. That we are very clear,” in Cyprus.
S Jaishankar also added “The second is, of course, our borders. The challenges have intensified during the Covid period. And you all know that the state of our relations with China is not normal, because we will not agree to any attempt to unilaterally change the Line of Actual Control.”
On the national security side, Jaishankar said the message coming out of India is solid. “In terms of diplomacy, I can say that a lot is expected from India these days because India is seen today as a strong economy that will add to the problems. We are also seen as a country that is independent and has the courage to stand up. Also a country, which is capable of bringing very different countries that are unable to deal with each other,” Jaishankar said.
