EAM Jaishankar said that the abrogation of Article 370 and conduction of elections in Kashmir were the first steps towards normalcy.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar Wednesday batted for the unification of Kashmir, saying that the conflict in the region is “mostly solved”, with New Delhi now waiting for Pakistan to “return the stolen part” of the territory.
During a session at the Chatham House think tank in London, Jaishankar responded to a question on steps taken by India to solve the Kashmir issue, and said that the abrogation of Article 370 was the first step in that direction.
Responding to the audience question, Jaishankar said, “Removing Article 370 was step number one, restoring growth and economic activity and social justice in Kashmir was step number two, and holding elections with a very high turnout was step number three.”
“I think the part we are waiting for is the return of the stolen part of Kashmir which is under illegal Pakistani occupation. When that is done, I assure you Kashmir will be solved,” the External Affairs Minister said.
In October last year, India and Pakistan had the first direct conversation between Foreign Ministers since 2015 when Jaishankar had visited Islamabad for The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting. Jaishankar and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar had spoken twice in less than 24 hours, and there were indications that these talks explored the idea of resuming some form of cricketing ties between the two countries, The Indian Express had learnt.
During a session titled ‘India’s rise and role in the world’ at the Chatham House, Jaishankar touched on many issues such as US President Donald Trump’s new administration, the UK-India free trade agreement and the relations between India and China.
While speaking on India’s relationship with China, Jaishankar said that the countries have a “unique relationship”, and noted development in ties since October 2024, including the Mount Kailash pilgrimage.
“We want a relationship were our interests are requested, sensitivities are recognised and works for both of us,” he said.
Speaking on US tariffs under the new Republican administration, Jaishankar said that Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is in Washington to discuss the future of a bilateral trade pact, following the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump.
“We had a very open conversation about it (tariffs) and the result of the conversation was that we agreed on the need of a bilateral trade agreement,” he said.