'Response to terror can't be determined…': S Jaishankar at UN amid Canada row
Amid the diplomatic stand-off with Canada, external affairs minister S Jaishankar said political convenience should not determine responses to "terrorism, extremism and violence". He was speaking at the United Nations General Assembly.
Political convenience should not determine responses to "terrorism, extremism and violence", External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Tuesday at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session, amid the diplomatic stand-off between India and Canada. He also said, respect for territorial integrity and non-interference in internal affairs "cannot be exercises in cherry-picking".
"...Nor must we countenance that political convenience determines responses to terrorism, extremism and violence. Similarly, respect for territorial integrity and non-interference in internal affairs cannot be exercises in cherry-picking. When reality departs from rhetoric, we must have the courage to call it out...," the minister said.
Highlighting the need for "rule-based" global order, Jaishankar remarked that the days when few nations set the global agenda are over.
"In our deliberations, we often advocate the promotion of a rules-based order. From time to time, respect for the UN Charter is also involved. But for all the talk, it is still a few nations who shape the agenda and seek to define the norms. This can't go on indefinitely nor will it go unchallenged," he asserted.
A fair, equitable and democratic order will surely emerge once we all put our minds to it, Jaishankar added.
Asserting that from the era of non-alignment, India has now evolved to the era of "Vishwa Mitra", Jaishankar said New Delhi seeks to "promote cooperation with diverse partners".
"This is reflected in our ability and willingness to engage with a broad range of nations and where necessary, harmonise interests. It is visible in the rapid growth of the QUAD; it is equally apparent in the expansion of the BRICS grouping or emergence of I2U2," he added.
Jaishankar also mentioned the Women's Reservation Bill at the UNGA and called it a "path-breaking legislation".
"I speak for a society where ancient traditions of democracy have struck deep modern roots. As a result, our thinking, approaches and actions are more grounded and authentic," Jaishankar said.
On the success of India's moon mission, the minister said, "India has entered the 'Amrit Kaal'...The world saw a glimpse of what is to come when our Chandrayaan-3 landed on the Moon".
He also noted that India's G20 presidency was a "sense of exceptional responsibility". He said that the outcomes at the G20 Summit held in New Delhi earlier this month have great significance for the international community.
Jaishankar opened his speech by saying "Namaste from Bharat" and said it was an occasion to take stock of our achievements and challenges even while sharing our aspirations and goals.
The high-level session of the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) was held on Tuesday in New York and External Affairs Minister Jaishankar led the Indian delegation.
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