Focus to resolve border issues with China, Pakistan, says Jaishankar after assuming charge as EAM

Diplomat-turned-politician S Jaishankar on Tuesday assumed charge as external affairs minister for the second consecutive term. He said that it is a big thing in democracy for a government to get elected for the third time in a row, as reported by PTI.

He also asserted that the focus now is to resolve border issues with China, and Pakistan.

"I think it is a very big thing in democracy for a government to get elected for the third time in a row. The world must believe that India is politically stable and citizens trust their PM. For China, our focus is to resolve some issues regarding borders. For Pakistan, we will focus on finding a solution to the issue of terrorism and cross-border terrorism," he said.

The Indian and Chinese militaries have been locked in a standoff since May 2020 and a full resolution of the border row has not yet been achieved though the two sides have disengaged from a number of friction points.

"Looking ahead, definitely I think the two axioms that the prime minister has given us -- 'Bharat First' and 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' -- these will be the two guiding axioms of Indian foreign policy," he said.

"Together, we are very confident it will position us as 'Vishwa Bandhu' -- a country which is in a very turbulent world, in a very divided world, a world of conflicts and tensions, it would actually position us as a country which is trusted by many, whose prestige and influence will grow, whose interests will be advanced," he said.

Jaishankar, 69, was among the senior BJP leaders, including Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari and Nirmala Sitharaman, who retained the ministries that they handled in the previous government.

"Assumed charge as the Minister of External Affairs. Thank PM @narendramodi for assigning me this responsibility," he said on X.

As the external affairs minister since 2019, Jaishankar displayed with confidence his ability to clearly articulate India's positions on a range of complex issues at the global stage.

From blunting western criticism of New Delhi's procurement of crude oil from Moscow in the wake of the war in Ukraine to crafting a firm policy approach to deal with an assertive China, Jaishankar emerged as one of leading ministers with an impressive record of performance in Prime Minister Modi's previous government.

He has also been credited with managing to bring matters of foreign policy to domestic discourse, especially during India's presidency of the G20.

Currently, he is a member of Rajya Sabha from Gujarat.

Jaishankar served as India's foreign secretary from (2015-18), Ambassador to the United States (2013-15), China (2009-2013) and Czech Republic (2000-2004).

He was also India's high commissioner to Singapore (2007-2009).

Jaishankar has also served in other diplomatic assignments in embassies in Moscow, Colombo, Budapest and Tokyo, as well in the Ministry of External Affairs and the President's Secretariat.