NEW DELHI, JANUARY 18, 2017: India’s Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar today impressed on the need for urgent reforms to the UNSC and giving top priority to fighting terrorism globally. Mr Jaishankar was delivering the theme address on the second day of the 2nd Raisina Dialogue, organised by Observer Research Foundation in association with the Ministry of External Affairs.
Mr Jaishankar pointed out that the 70-year-old world body has already surpassed “the retirement age” but some vested interests are blocking reforms to the UNSC which is vital to meet the global aspirations. He said one of the biggest threat to the world is the increasing terrorism worldwide. He said it is very important that the powerful and influential nations give top priority to fighting this big menace.
Mr Jaishankar said the world is going to be very uncertain and difficult to negotiate. He said to conduct negotiations, there is the need for transparency and open mindedness. “There is a high shared interest between India and China,” as multilateralism and multipolarity is going to be the rule in future, especially in Asia, he pointed out.
He said China, however, is unfortunately not showing sensitivity to other countries’ concerns. In this connection, he pointed out that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor which was planned and built without consulting India on the Indian land illegally occupied by Pakistan.
Answering a question on India’s response on the CPEC after delivering the theme address on the second day of the 2nd Raisina Dialogue here today, Mr Jaishankar said China which is very sensitive when it comes to its sovereignty should also have shown sensitivity to other countries as well. He also blamed Pakistan, without taking its name, for the fate of SAARC. ‘It is just because of the insecurity of just one country,” he said adding India is trying to make use of other groupings to compensate for the SAARC.
Referring to increasing resentments to globalisation, Mr Jaishankar said “globalisation has not stopped and will not stop”. Referring to the speculation of improving ties between the new US administration and Russia, Mr Jaishankar said improved relation between these countries are not against the interest of India.
Mr. Jacques Audibert, the Diplomatic Adviser to French President, delivering the keynote address, accused Russia of changing the borders in Europe by force through its actions in Syria and Ukraine. Saying for France and the European Union, freedom of movement and navigation is very important, he criticised China for restricting freedom of navigation.
He also stressed on the need to take stringent action against global terror which is affecting his country badly.
Earlier, former Australian prime minister Kevin Ruud, speaking on ‘Talking on Connectivity’, suggested that India should work selectively with China to help reduce connectivity gap in Asia. He said though there are issues with OBOR, it would help improve connectivity in Asia and Eurasia.
Mr. Ashok Malik, Distinguished Fellow, ORF, said much more consensus is need to improve connectivity in the region. More than 250 participants from 65 countries are taking part in this year’s three-day Dialogue. The first edition was attended by 120 participants from 40 countries.
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