India Responded To Security Challenges At Northern Border 'Very Resolutely': S Jaishankar

In reference to India-China border tension, Jaishankar spoke about the difficulties faced on India's northern borders stressing that India responded to them "very resolutely".

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday discussed India's resolute response to the challenges along its northern borders in the last three years. He highlighted the government's commitment to maintaining robust military deployment for national security despite the difficulties.

In an address at the FICCI, Jaishankar acknowledged the exceptional difficulties faced on the northern borders, stating, "Even though this happened in the middle of Covid, yet we responded very resolutely, very determinedly, and to date, we are still deployed in whatever manner is necessary for our national security", as quoted by news agency PTI.

The ongoing confrontation between Indian and Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh, lasting over three years, has seen intermittent disengagement in some areas following extensive diplomatic and military talks.

Addressing India's global stance against terrorism and cooperation under the Quad framework, Jaishankar remarked, "If somebody else is uncomfortable, that's their problem. At the end of the day, we have to do what we have to do. However difficult and tough that is. It is about the confidence of being able to exercise choice after choice."

'National Interests Subservient To Political Correctness': S Jaishankar On Energy Imports From Russia

He stressed the importance of making choices driven by national interests, referring to energy purchases, including crude oil from Russia despite Western pressure. Jaishankar emphasised that India's choices were not subservient to the political correctness of other countries.

"When it came to our energy purchases, our national choices and national interests were supposed to be subservient to the political correctness of other countries who by the way had made their own arrangements to soften the blow for themselves," the minister said, as per PTI.

Discussing India's growth story, Jaishankar mentioned the nation's exceptional strength as an area of growth. He expressed optimism about achieving the vision of "Vikshit Bharat," making India a developed country in the next 25 years. He described the last five years as traumatic for the world due to factors like the Covid shock, developments in Afghanistan, the Ukraine conflict, Middle-East violence, and the competition between the US and China impacting global supply chains.

"We have made big decisions but we are clearly poised to make many more. We have nursed big ambitions, we have implemented much of what we promised but again there are still a lot we have to achieve, he said.To me Vikshit Bharat -- it is both a vision to achieve as well as a set of specific goals and a short description of it would be to really how to make India a developed country in the next 25 years," he was quoted as saying by PTI.

Jaishankar observed a trend towards greater insecurity and protectionism globally, questioning the effectiveness of trading rules implemented in the last two-to-three decades. While acknowledging the benefits of opening up to the world, he emphasised that it should occur only when there is a level playing field for Indian industries.

Addressing industry leaders, Jaishankar highlighted their role as builders of national strength, urging them to contribute to building Indian supply chains. He emphasised that no country can be strong without its own supply chain and basic requirements.

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