Jaishankar Defends Kashmir Policy, Emphasizing “Return of the Stolen Part of Kashmir” in Chatham House Speech
Jaishankar Rejects Third-Party Mediation on Kashmir, Emphasizes India’s Self-Reliance
During a speech at the Chatham House think tank in London on Wednesday, India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, addressed key issues regarding India’s stance on the Kashmir conflict and the country’s evolving relationship with the United States under President Donald Trump.
“The real issue is the return of the stolen part of Kashmir, which remains under Pakistan’s illegal occupation. That is what we are waiting for. Once that is corrected, let me be clear—Kashmir will no longer be an issue.”
— EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar’s strong response to a Pakistani… pic.twitter.com/lTxZrInRiA
— Pradeep Bhandari(प्रदीप भंडारी)🇮🇳 (@pradip103) March 6, 2025
Jaishankar strongly rejected the notion of third-party intervention in the Kashmir issue, underlining that India had already taken significant steps toward resolving the situation independently. He stated that the country had made substantial progress on the ground, including the abrogation of Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, and other measures aimed at restoring economic stability and social justice in the region.
“We have done a good job solving most of it,” Jaishankar said, referring to the Kashmir issue. “The removal of Article 370 was one step. Then, restoring growth, economic activity, and social justice in Kashmir was step number two. Holding elections, which were done with a very high turnout, was step number three.”
However, Jaishankar made it clear that the only remaining issue in Kashmir lay beyond India’s control. He pointed to the region of Jammu and Kashmir that is under what he termed “illegal Pakistani occupation,” asserting that once this part of Kashmir is returned to India, the Kashmir issue will be “solved.”
“The part we are waiting for is the return of the stolen part of Kashmir, which is under an illegal Pakistani occupation. When that’s done, I assure you, Kashmir solved,” he added.
Strengthening Ties: Jaishankar Highlights India-US Cooperation
The conversation at Chatham House then turned to the evolving relationship between India and the United States, particularly under the leadership of President Donald Trump. Jaishankar highlighted the shared interests between the two nations, focusing on their alignment on a multipolar world order.
Jaishankar remarked that the shift in US foreign policy towards multipolarity closely aligned with India’s global aspirations. “We see a president and an administration which, in our parlance, is moving towards multipolarity, and that is something that suits India,” he said.
One of the key areas of collaboration highlighted by Jaishankar was the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), a strategic alliance between India, the US, Australia, and Japan. Jaishankar emphasized the Quad as a successful example of cooperation, praising its mutual commitment to collective security and shared goals.
“From President Trump’s perspective, the one big shared enterprise that we have is the Quad, which is an understanding where everybody pays their fair share. There are no free riders involved. So that’s a good model which works,” Jaishankar explained.
Bilateral Trade Agreement Between India and the US
In addition to discussing geopolitical alliances, Jaishankar also addressed the trade dynamics between India and the United States. He confirmed that both nations had agreed on the necessity of a bilateral trade pact, following high-level discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Trump at the White House.
“The result of that conversation was that we agreed on the need for a bilateral trade agreement,” Jaishankar said. He further clarified that Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal was currently in Washington to advance these negotiations. Jaishankar’s comments signal the importance of a comprehensive trade deal between the two nations, particularly in the areas of tariffs and market access.
India’s Position on the Dollar and BRICS
Jaishankar also addressed the internationalization of the Indian Rupee and the role of the US dollar in the global economy. Clarifying India’s position, he stated that India had no intentions of replacing the dollar as the world’s reserve currency. He acknowledged that while some countries might be exploring alternatives, India did not see the need to actively challenge the dollar’s dominance.
“I don’t believe there is any policy on our part to replace the dollar,” Jaishankar stated. “The dollar as a reserve currency contributes to international economic stability, and what the world needs right now is more stability, not less.”
The minister also discussed the BRICS nations—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—and their stance on the dollar. Jaishankar pointed out that despite the BRICS bloc’s emphasis on multipolarity, it did not have a unified stance against the dollar. “The assumption that BRICS has a united position against the dollar is not supported by facts,” he said, noting that the diverse views within BRICS would likely continue to shape the group’s policies on economic issues.
Conclusion: India’s Diplomatic Confidence
Dr. S. Jaishankar’s speech at Chatham House underscored India’s diplomatic confidence, particularly in its handling of the Kashmir issue and its growing cooperation with the United States. By rejecting third-party mediation and reinforcing India’s steps toward resolving the Kashmir issue independently, Jaishankar not only defended India’s sovereignty but also highlighted the country’s commitment to addressing regional challenges through its own mechanisms.
Furthermore, his remarks on the Quad, India-US trade relations, and the role of the dollar revealed India’s increasingly proactive and assertive stance on the global stage. As India continues to strengthen its partnerships and carve out a more prominent role in international geopolitics, Jaishankar’s address at Chatham House demonstrates the country’s strategic alignment with global multipolarity.