8.6.22

We won’t accept attempt to change borders: Jaishankar

Foreign minister S Jaishankar said India will never accept any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo on India’s borders. While he didn’t name China, he said any departure from established understandings will evoke “its own responses”.

Speaking at an event to mark eight years of the Modi government, Jaishankar also said India was looking forward to joining the Nuclear Suppliers Group despite the “political impediments” involved. China continues to oppose any exclusive membership for India and seeks a criteria-based approach for the expansion of the group instead of one based purely on merit.

“Our borders also need safeguarding & we’ll never accept any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo. A posture that departs from established understandings will evoke its own responses,” said Jaishankar.

“When it comes to security, we’ll do what it takes to ensure national well-being. I acknowledge role of trusted partners who work to help keep India safe and secure every day. We’ve overcome the hesitations of history and won’t allow anyone a veto on our choices,” he added. On the threat from terrorism, Jaishankar said diplomacy has contributed to addressing the challenge by delegitimising it and denying support and sustenance to terrorism.

“Our borders also need safeguarding and we will never accept any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo. A posture that departs from established understandings will evoke its own responses,” he said.

Jaishankar said a nation like India needs to contemplate its security in the broadest way possible. “In the past, mantras of globalisation lowered its defences and discouraged the building of deeper strengths. That realisation is responsible for the commitment we now see to Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India). We certainly want to make in India, but we want to make with the world, and we want to make for the world,” he said. Jaishankar said strengthening a rules-based order is a natural inclination of a polity like India.

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