India’s Firm Stand on Kashmir
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India has reiterated that Kashmir will always remain a part of India, regardless of any statements made by other countries. This declaration was made in response to a joint statement by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and China’s Premier Li Qiang, who called for a resolution on the Kashmir issue under the UN Charter.
MEA’s Response
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized during a press briefing that India’s position on Kashmir is unwavering. He stated, “Kashmir is ours and will remain ours. This is our statement and this is our stand. If someone says something, it doesn’t change anything.”
External Affairs Minister’s Visit
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar recently visited Islamabad for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s (SCO) Council of Heads of Government meeting. The MEA clarified that Jaishankar did not hold any bilateral meetings with Pakistan during this visit, except for a meeting with Mongolia.
Address at SCO
During his address at the SCO, Jaishankar highlighted cross-border terrorism, extremism, and separatism as major obstacles to trade and relations between countries. He indirectly criticized Pakistan, suggesting that such activities do not promote trade, energy flows, or connectivity.
After the summit, Jaishankar returned to Delhi, expressing gratitude to Pakistani leaders for their hospitality.
Doubts Revealed
Kashmir -: Kashmir is a region in the northern part of India. It has been a subject of dispute between India and Pakistan for many years. Both countries claim it as their own, but it is currently a part of India.
Ministry of External Affairs -: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is a part of the Indian government. It handles India’s relations with other countries and international organizations.
UN Charter -: The UN Charter is a set of rules and guidelines that the United Nations follows. It helps countries resolve disputes peacefully and promotes international cooperation.
SCO meeting -: SCO stands for Shanghai Cooperation Organization. It is a group of countries that work together on issues like security and economic cooperation. India is a member of this group.
Randhir Jaiswal -: Randhir Jaiswal is a spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs in India. A spokesperson is someone who speaks on behalf of an organization or government.
S Jaishankar -: S Jaishankar is the External Affairs Minister of India. He is responsible for managing India’s foreign relations and representing India in international matters.