India's Border Dispute With China An 'Intense Challenge', Says External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar

Taking a dig at Pakistan, the foreign minister said that the problem of cross-border terrorism from Islamabad is still continuing.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is on a three-day visit to Austria

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday said that India is still facing “intense challenges” with China along the northern border.

While interacting with the Indian diaspora in Vienna, the External Affairs Minister said, "Now, I spoke to you about the changes in governance. Let me also say that there have been obvious in this period, very profound changes in our national security. And a lot of that, of course, is centered around more intense challenges that we face on our northern border with China. I think most of you would be familiar with that."

Jaishankar is on a three-day visit to Austria.

So glad to interact with the thriving Indian community in Vienna today.

Appreciate the cultural performance that underlined how strong the connect is with our motherland. The image of the Indian community has done much to build goodwill between India and Austria. pic.twitter.com/bNA3dECW3f

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) January 1, 2023

Taking a dig at Pakistan, the foreign minister said that the problem of cross-border terrorism from Islamabad is still continuing.

"We continue to have, of course, the problem of cross-border terrorism with Pakistan," he added.

He further said, "One region which has dramatically improved in the last decade, it is actually eastern and north-eastern India. And the reason for that is we have vastly improved our relationship with Bangladesh. We have settled our land boundary agreement with that country."

He described India and Bangladesh's existing relationship as "an example of good diplomacy that has really contributed."

Jaishankar is on his official visit to Austria, where he met Austria's Chancellor Karl Nehammer, and Bulgarian President Rumen Georgiev Radev.

He also held a meeting with Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg.

EAM Jaishankar will hold a meeting with International Atomic Energy Agency Director-General Rafael Mariano Grossi. He is also scheduled to discuss regional and global issues with the Foreign Ministers of Czech, Slovak, and Austria in the Slavkov format.

In the press release, the Ministry of External Affairs noted, "This will be the first EAM-level visit from India to Austria in the last 27 years, and takes place against the backdrop of 75 years of diplomatic relations in 2023."

(With inputs from ANI)