Simla agreement resulted in 'revanchist' Pakistan, problems in J-K: Jaishankar

Asserting that past handling of Pakistan raises many questions, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on vember 14 said 1972 Simla agreement resulted in a "revanchist" Pakistan and continuing problems in Jammu and Kashmir, as he hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "bold moves" in dealing with neighboring country. minister also said that "holding feet to fire" is very important in dealing with Pakistan and asserted neighboring country has built "an industry of terror".

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Delivering fourth Ramnath Goenka memorial lecture, Jaishankar vocated a foreign policy that appreciates change and is t status quo as he cited key past incidents in Indian history such as defeat in war with China in 1962, Simla agreement, "inaction" after Mumbai terror attacks to contrast it with India's more dynamic stance post-2014. Giving a historical perspective to geopolitical issues, Jaishankar said, "For years India's position on world state seemed assured, but 1962 conflict with China significantly damd India's standing."

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'Lack of response to 26/11'

"India's record includes dark moments like 1962 defeat against China. Or tense ones like 1965 war with Pakistan. re are eugh dichotomies in our past to generate a spirited debate on successes and failures," minister said.

"Two deces of nuclear indecision ended dramatically with tests of 1998. lack of response to 26/11 is so different from Uri and Balakot operations. Wher it is events or trends, y all bear scrutiny for lessons y hold," he said.

Jaishankar asserted that purposeful pursuit of national interest in shifting global dynamics may t be easy, but it must be done. real obstacle to rise of India is t anymore barriers of world, but dogmas of Delhi, he said in his lecture on topic 'Beyond Delhi Dogma: Indian Foreign Policy in a Changing World'.

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"re was also little awareness in 1950s that we were dealing with a battle-hardened neighbour to rth. Or of strategic significance of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. This approach to world affairs continued even reafter," Jaishankar said while explaining six phases in Indian foreign policy.

"Thus, in 1972 at Shimla, India chose to bet on an optimistic outlook on Pakistan. At end of day, it resulted in both a revanchist Pakistan and a continuing problem in Jammu & Kashmir," he said.

Simla Agreement was signed by n Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Pakistan President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in 1972 seeking to reverse consequences of 1971 war. It was a comprehensive blueprint for good neighbourly relations between India and Pakistan. External Affairs Minister said time taken to link talks with Pakistan to cessation of terrorism speaks for itself.

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After lecture, Jaishankar also engd in a conversation on st and took several questions on neighbourhood policy, Pakistan, Indo-US ties and abrogation of Article 370 provisions and bifurcation of J&K state. Speaking on government's move to abrogate Jammu and Kashmir's special status, Jaishankar said discussions around it were ideological and re was "liberal fundamentalism at work" in discourse.

"My reputation is t decided by a newspaper in New York," Jaishankar said over criticism of government's move by foreign media.

"As we move decisively to combat separatism in Jammu & Kashmir, re is some talk of its internationalization and hyphenation of our ties with Pakistan. This is thinking from past, reflecting neir strength of India, mood of nation or determination of government," he asserted in lecture. "Uninformed comments abro on India's internal affairs is hardly internationalization," Jaishankar said.

" reputational and real differences between India and Pakistan put paid to any hyphenation effort. In reality, se fears are but a thinly disguised vocacy of inaction. ir intent, conscious or orwise, is to legitimize a status quo that has w been overtaken by history," he said.

Jaishankar also hit out at handling of Pakistan in past, saying it raises many questions.

"Our past handling of Pakistan, a society which we are supposed to kw well, also raises many questions. se are t exactly hypotical situations and are cited to underline contention that emergence as a leing power requires great pragmatism," he said.

"That can be furr strengned by more sophisticated narratives that help reconcile divergences. After all, our emphasis on sovereignty has t prevented us from responding to human rights situations in our immediate region," he said.

"India h allowed narrative to focus mainly on a dialogue with Pakistan when real issue was stopping crossborder terrorism," Jaishankar asserted. In last five years, however, a different rmal has developed and global conversations on crossborder terrorism have become more serious, he said. Lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his "bold moves" in dealing with Pakistan, Jaishankar said his visit to Pakistan was "extraordinarily" risky, t just politically but also physically.

Jaishankar also cited FATF pressure on Pakistan over terror activities emanating from its soil and said India needs bold moves to deal with neighbouring country. On ecomic slowdown in India, Jaishankar said, "We shouldn't be so faint-hearted. two-quarter slowdown doesn't mean world is coming to an end. We have been through that before." Ramnath Goenka memorial lecture has been organised by Indian Express Group.