Sly hint to Pakistan, EAM Jaishankar says, “POK is part of India, and one day will have physical jurisdiction over it”

New Delhi, September 17: Echoing India’s voice, India’s presence, India’s robust stand on international platform, the country has been heard by all loud and clear. Sharing insights of some of the major transformation of Indian diplomacy worldwide, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Tuesday, briefing the media on first 100 days of his ministry said that the one of the major achievements of the government in this period has been the strong connection between national security and foreign policy which has shown robustness in developing India.

 

Strong message to Pakistan

Speaking on various challenges and in a sly attack on Pakistan, EAM S Jaishankar said India faces a "unique challenge" from one neighbour who needs to act and take measures on counter-terrorism. Furthermore, in a strong message to Pakistan, EAM said “SAARC is about regional cooperation for which you need trade on MFN basis and connectivity. You don't need terrorism. If we look at future of SAARC, which country is promoting SAARC & which country is impeding it is clear.”

He added saying, “We hope to build a better, stronger neighbourhood but recognising that we have a unique challenge from one neighbour, until the issue of cross border terrorism is successfully addressed & that neighbour becomes a normal neighbour that would remain a challenge.”

Talking further on the issues catering to the atrocities on the minorities in Pakistan, EAM Jaishankar said that the situation in Sindh is not new. He also mentioned abduction of Sikh girls asserting that if there would have been a human rights audit in the world, everyone knew who would be the last which clearly hinted on Pakistan.

 

One day India will have physical jurisdiction over POK

India has always regarded the Pakistan Occupied Kashmir as a part of India and elaborating on the same, EAM Jaishankar said, “Our position on PoK (Pakistan Occupied Kashmir) has always been and will always be very clear. PoK is part of India and we expect one day that we will have the physical jurisdiction over it.” Voicing himself clear, he said that “PoK (Pakistan Occupied Kashmir) is a part of India and we expect one day we will have physical jurisdiction over it.” Adding further about the media reportage in Kashmir, Jaishankar said, “I’ve very rarely seen a story which brings out fact that Article 370 was temporary provision of constitution. All of you need to google it & see.”

Kulbhushan Jadhav Case

Speaking about Kulbhushan Jadhav issue, EAM Jaishankar said that India’s objective was to seek access to him, to ascertain his well-being. Seeking access to him was one step in eventually providing that remedy which ICJ has mandated & finally finding a solution which would bring an innocent person back to his country. Adding he said that ascertaining Kulbhushan’s well being was at priority for India and begin the proceedings however unsatisfactory they may be.

Face-off between Indian & Chinese troops near Pangong Lake in Ladakh

Speaking about India-China face-off near Pangong lake, EAM Jaishankar said, “There was no skirmish. There was a face-off & it was resolved. It happened because there are differing perceptions of Line of Actual Control, patrols meet & sometimes that kind of situations happen. There are mechanisms to address such situations and in this particular case the mechanism kicked into play and they did address the situation.”