Jaishankar Doubles Down On Oppn Over Island Row, Dodges US Envoy's Remark On Pannun Case — Top Quotes

Jaishankar made a significant assertion on Monday regarding former Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's stance on the Katchatheevu island dispute.

Union External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar.

Source : PTI

Day after US ambassador to India Eric Garcetti's 'red line' remark on Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun's assasination case, Union External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Monday stated that an investigation into the case is still ongoing, and at this point of time as a representative of the government, he will not be able to speak anything else on the matter. Speaking at a press conference, Jaishankar stated: "The US ambassador as an ambassador will say what he thinks is the position of his govt. The position of my govt is that in this particular case, there has been certain information provided to us which we are investigating." 

#WATCH | EAM Dr S Jaishankar responds to US Ambassador Eric Garcetti's 'red line' statement on Pannun case made in ANI podcast

"The US ambassador as an ambassador will say what he thinks is the position of his govt. The position of my govt is that in this particular case, there… pic.twitter.com/n8qt38jWLv

— ANI (@ANI) April 1, 2024

While speaking with ANI, Garcetti highlighted collective effort between India and the United States in probing the alleged assassination plot against Khalistani seperatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. He emphasised the importance of not crossing a "red line" in bilateral ties. 

Top Jaishankar Quotes

1. Jaishankar made a significant assertion on Monday regarding former Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's stance on the Katchatheevu island dispute. According to Jaishankar, Nehru perceived the Katchatheevu islands as insignificant and viewed them merely as a "nuisance."

Reading out Nehru's opinion, Jaishankar said, " I attach no importance at all to this little island and I would have no hesitation in giving up our claim to it. I do not like matter pending like this indefinitely and being raised again and again in Parliament." 

2.  "To Pandit Nehru this was a little island, it had no importance, he saw it as a nuisance. For him the sooner you give it away, the better," Jaishankar stated. 

3. Slamming both Congress, and DMK, Jaishankar stated: “Two parties have approached this matter as though they have no responsibility for it. As though the situation is for today’s central government to resolve, there is no history to this, this has just happened.”

#WATCH | Delhi | On Katchatheevu issue, EAM Dr S Jaishankar says, "...Congress & DMK have approached this matter as though they have no responsibility on this." pic.twitter.com/9goQBIf0RE

— ANI (@ANI) April 1, 2024

4. On Katchatheevu issue, EAM Dr S Jaishankar said: "The fishermen are still being detained today, boats still being apprehended & the issue is still being raised in Parliament. It is being raised in Parliament by two parties who did it...Whenever there was an arrest, how do you think they were released? It is very good to give statements from Chennai, but the people who do the work are us." 

5. "The dismissive attitude...was the historic Congress attitude towards Katchatheevu," he stated.