Jaishankar: Leaders must be exemplars

WORLD’S ‘LEADING VOICES’ SHOULD ACT IN AN EXEMPLARY MANNER, RESPECT INT’L LAWS, THE EXTERNAL AFFAIRS MINISTER SAID

a thinly veiled dig at China against the backdrop of a tense border standoff, external affairs minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday said the world’s “leading voices” should act in an exemplary manner by respecting international law and recognising the interests of partners.

Jaishankar didn’t name any countries in his remarks during his address at a virtual meeting of the foreign ministers of the Russia-india-china grouping but there appeared to be little doubt who he was referring to.

He also made a strong case for a greater role for India in decision-making at international organisations such as the United Nations, and in what India has been describing as a reformed multilateral world order.

The special RIC meeting, Jaishankar said, reiterates India’s belief in the “time-tested principles of international relations”. He said: “But the challenge today is not just one of concepts and norms, but equally of their practice. Leading voices of the world must be exemplars in every way.

“Respecting international law, recognising the legitimate interests of partners, supporting multilateralism and promoting common good are the only way of building a durable world order.”

Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi, in his address, said the tripartite grouping should maintain strategic autonomy and good relations and “correctly treat and properly handle sensitive factors in bilateral relations”.

Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov, in his address, referred to the threat of international terrorism, which is far from being eliminated.