Jaishankar’s new stint faces old issues: China's border disputes, Pakistan’s terror export and more

After taking charge of the External Affairs Ministry on Tuesday, S Jaishankar made a couple of comments that might hint at how India’s foreign policy will take shape in the next five years.

Jaishankar was retained as the foreign minister of India as the BJP announced portfolios for its cabinet on Monday. He is among the many union ministers whose terms were extended for the second time.

Along with Jaishankar, BJP leaders including Ashwini Vaishnaw and Bhupendra Yadav have taken charge of their respective offices so far. Other ministers like Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh will assume office later today.

With India already achieving the role of being the voice of the global south, Jaishankar’s next term will put more focus on the country’s relationship with neighbouring nations as well as pushing India’s interest before the world.

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So, what lies ahead of the foreign ministry? Jaishankar answers:

• On India’s influence at the global stage: “I am fully confident that under PM Modi’s leadership, the foreign policy of Modi 3.0 will be very successful. For us, the influence of India has been steadily growing not just in terms of our own perception but also what other countries think. They feel that India is truly their friend and they have seen that in times of crisis, if there is one country that stands with the Global South, it is India.”

• On India’s outreach: “In the last term, this ministry performed exceptionally well. We delivered the G20 presidency. We took on the challenges of COVID including, Vaccine Maitri supplies. We also were the centre of crucial operations like Operation Ganga and Operation Kaveri. In the last decade, this ministry under the leadership of PM Modi has become a very people-centric ministry.”

• On Pakistan and China: “As far as Pakistan and China are concerned, the relations with those countries are different, and the problems there are also different. Our focus with regard to China will be on finding a solution for the border issues and with Pakistan, we would want to find a solution to the issue of years-old cross-border terrorism.”