Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar stated on Tuesday that India seeks to resolve the longstanding issue of cross-border terrorism with Pakistan.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was sworn in for a third term on Sunday, emphasizing the government’s “neighbourhood first” policy with leaders from seven regional countries in attendance at the ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.
Jaishankar, speaking to reporters after assuming office for a second consecutive term, noted that while India’s relations and challenges with China and Pakistan were distinct, they remained unresolved. He stressed the need to address the issue of cross-border terrorism with Pakistan, stating that such actions are not conducive to good neighborly relations.
Leaders of India and Pakistan engaged in diplomatic dialogue on Monday via X.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif congratulated Modi, marking Pakistan’s initial response to the election results across the border.
PM Shehbaz initiated the exchange with a brief congratulatory message on X, stating, “Felicitations to @narendramodi on taking oath as the Prime Minister of India.” Modi responded with a simple acknowledgment, thanking PM Shehbaz for his good wishes.
The interaction expanded with a more detailed message from Nawaz Sharif, expressing a desire for collective peace in South Asia. Modi reiterated India’s commitment to peace but emphasized the importance of security, particularly in the context of allegations of cross-border terrorism.
PM Shehbaz’s absence from the list of regional leaders invited to Modi’s oath-taking ceremony highlighted the strained relations between the two countries.
Regarding China, Jaishankar stated that India would focus on resolving border issues that have strained relations between the two countries.
“There are still some issues at the border with China, and our focus will be on how to solve them,” he said.
India and China share a 3,800-kilometer border, much of which is poorly demarcated. The nations also fought a war in 1962 and have been engaged in a military standoff since July 2020, following clashes that resulted in casualties on both sides.
