New Delhi: Respecting international law, recognizing the legitimate interests of partners, supporting multilateralism and promoting common good are the only way of building a durable world order, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Tuesday.
In his opening remark at Russia-India-China (RIC) virtual meet, the minister said, “… international affairs must come to terms with contemporary reality. The United Nations began with 50 members; today it has 193. Surely, its decision making cannot continue to be in denial of this fact.”
This is the first interaction between the foreign ministers of three countries. With Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, it was second interaction. Last time, both had telephonic interaction on June 17 to defuse the border standoff in Eastern Ladakh.
India and China have been engaging into border row since early May in three areas of Ladakh region, include Galwan Valley, Hot Springs and Pangong Tso.
“We, the RIC countries, have been active participants in shaping the global agenda. It is India’s hope that we will also now converge on the value of reformed multilateralism,” he said adding that the special meeting reiterated “our belief in the time-tested principles of international relations.
Dr Jaishankar also said that the challenge today is not just one of concepts and norms, but equally of their practice. “The leading voices of the world must be exemplars in every way.”
He also welcomed Russia for hosting a special RIC meeting of Foreign Ministers to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the conclusion of the Second World War, as well as the foundation of the United Nations.
Thank FM Sergei Lavrov for convening the Russia-India-China (RIC) Meeting of Foreign Ministers today. A productive exchange of views on the global order, multilateralism, multipolarity and convergences.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) June 23, 2020
My opening remarks: https://t.co/kcQn1qKVSy pic.twitter.com/Pn9sQgKwOE
Stating that the victory over Nazism and Fascism was achieved through sacrifices, Mr Jaishankar said, India made a significant contribution with 2.3 million of its citizens under arms and 14 million more participating in war production.
Indian blood was shed at the battlefields of the world, from Tobruk, El Alamein and Montecassino, to Singapore, Kohima and Borneo.
“We helped keep key supply lines open to both your countries, one through the Persian corridor and the other over the Himalayan hump. If Indian personnel were conferred the Order of the Red Star, the medical mission led by Dr.Kotnis was a legend in China,” he added.
“So tomorrow, when our military contingent marches through the Red Square, it would be an affirmation of the difference that we made,” the minister said.
“When the victors met to fashion the ensuing global order, the political circumstances of that era did not give India due recognition. This historical injustice has stood uncorrected for the last 75 years, even as the world has changed,” Dr Jaishankar added.
On this momentous occasion, he called for the world to realize both the contribution that India made and the need to rectify the past.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is in Russia on a three-day visit during which he is likely to press the authorities in Moscow for the timely delivery of the S-400 missile defence systems.
