'Pakistan's Terrorism Cancer Consuming It, India's Challenge Is Equilibrium With China': External Affairs Minister Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday (18 January) hit out at Pakistan for its “support to cross-border terrorism” and said that the 'cancer' of terrorism is now 'consuming its own body politic'.

During the 19th Nani A Palkhivala Memorial Lecture in Mumbai, Jaishankar made these remarks. He also shared his views on the relationship between India and China, stating that India must brace itself for China's expanding abilities, especially those that directly "impinge on our interests”

Calling Pakistan 'an exception' for its support to cross-border terrorism, Jaishankar said, "That cancer is now consuming its own body politic. The entire subcontinent has a shared interest in Pakistan abjuring that approach."

Jaishankar also broadly outlined the global challenges due to “the weaponisation of market instruments and financial institutions” and urged India to undertake its rise in unpredictable global circumstances.

Emphasising the acceleration of both internal growth and modernisation as well as de-risking external exposure, Jaishankar highlighted the importance of political stability, broad-based and inclusive growth and continuing reforms.

Regarding China, he said that “right now, the relationship is trying to disentangle itself from the complications arising from the 2020 (border) policy”.

“India confronts a particular challenge in establishing equilibrium with China," Jaishankar explained highlighting the fact that both nations are on the rise as immediate neighbours and the only two societies with over a billion people.

"Their dynamics could never have been easy. It has been further sharpened by the boundary dispute, by some baggage of history, and by some socio-political system," he added.

"Misreading by past policymakers, whether driven by ideology or real politics, has helped neither cooperation nor competition. However, this has changed in the last decade,” he said referring to the Modi government.

Jaishankar emphasised deeper economic cooperation between India and Russia for a 'stabilising consequence for the global economy through potential collaborations.'