S. Jai Shankar, India’s External Affairs Minister, highlighted the long overdue decision to revoke Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, during an event titled ‘A Decade of Change in India’ held in Silicon Valley, Bangalore. Addressing a range of crucial topics, Dr. Jai Shankar talked about the abrogation of Article 370, India’s diplomatic relations with neighboring countries, and the pressing need for reforms within the United Nations Security Council.
What did Jai Shankar say about Article 370 and Pakistan in the UNSC meeting?
Abrogation of Article 370 as one of the big achievements of this term. I also sometimes ask myself, Why did it take us so long . Part of looking back is also a degree of self-reflection and driving yourself to keep looking at the challenges because we sometimes take achievements for granted. We also sometimes take problems for granted. It’s important that we look at old problems at new eyes.
Certainly in this case, because there was a strong conviction to deal with a situation where one state of this country was kept outside the national mainstream, at last, that challenge was addressed. You see, security council is like an old club where there are set members who don’t want to let go of the grip. They want to keep control over the clubs are not very keen to admit more members, not too keen to have their practices questioned. In a way, it’s a human failing. But I think today it is harming the world.
It is harming the world because on key issues confronting the world, the UN is getting less and less effective. Very large number of countries would say, Yes, we want reform, neighboring relationships, which are a problem. But I would suggest to you that the one with Pakistan is actually an exception. If I look at the other relationship and we began first with a colleague from Sri Lanka, I would say each one of our neighbors today actually has a lot of good experiences and a lot of good to say about India. Now, it’s also natural with neighbors that there will be issues of difference. I think we should not expect that all our neighbors will agree with us on all issues every day.
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