"As we begin the G-20 presidency this December, we are sensitive to the challenges faced by developing countries," Jaishankar said in his address to the high-level UN General Assembly session here.
He told the 193-member UN General Assembly that India will work with other G-20 members to address serious issues of debt, economic growth, food and energy security and particularly, environment.
"The reform of governance of multilateral financial institutions will continue to be one of our core priorities," he said.
He also noted that the Indo-Pacific region too witnesses fresh concerns about its stability and security. His remarks came amidst China's aggressive actions in the strategically important region.
Noting that while the global attention has been on Ukraine, India has also had to contend with other challenges, especially in its own neighbourhood, in an apparent reference to the unresolved standoff with China in eastern Ladakh and strained relations with Pakistan.
"Some of them may be aggravated by the Covid pandemic and ongoing conflicts; but they speak too of a deeper malaise. The accumulation of debt in fragile economies is of particular concern," he said.
He asserted that India believes that in such times, the international community must rise above narrow national agendas. India, for its part, is taking exceptional measures in exceptional times "When we fill the gap in humanitarian needs left unaddressed by political complexity."
He highlighted that India had sent 50,000 metric tonnes of wheat and multiple tranches of medicines and vaccines to Afghanistan, extended credits of 3.8 billion dollars to Sri Lanka for fuel, essential commodities and trade settlement, supplied 10,000 metric tons of food aid and vaccine shipments to Myanmar.
"Whether it is disaster response or humanitarian assistance, India has stood strong, contributing particularly to those nearest to it," he said.
"As the Ukraine conflict continues to rage, we are often asked whose side we are on. And our answer, each time, is straight and honest. India is on the side of peace and will remain firmly there," Jaishankar added on Saturday.
But adding clarity to it, he said, "We are on the side that respects the UN Charter and its founding principles."
His speech at the UN General Assembly was closely watched by diplomats for any shift on India's public stance on Ukraine after Prime Minister Narendra Modi had bluntly told Russia's President Vladimir Putin that "this cannot be an era of war" and reiterated that dialgoue and diplomacy are the way to go.
By saying that India is with the side that "respects the UN Chart" that outlaws war, he planted India on the side that is not Russia's -- and diplomatically -- if cryptically -- avoided having to name Moscow while making the stance public.
Taking up the cause of the developing countries that have been hit hard by the food shortages and the rising price of energy because of the war, Jaishankar said, "We are on the side of those struggling to make ends meet, even as they stare at escalating costs of food, fuel and fertilisers."
"It is therefore in our collective interest to work constructively, both within the UN and outside, in finding an early resolution to this conflict," he added.
"Right now, we are going through a very difficult phase mainly because we have agreements with China going back to the 1990s, which prohibit bringing mass troops in the border area. They have disregarded that. You know what happened in the Galwan valley," said Jaishankar while highlighting the ongoing standoff with China at an event on Sunday in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Eastern Ladakh has been the flashpoint between India and China for sometime now. Both sides have so far held 16 rounds of Corps Commander Level talks to break the logjam which erupted violently on May 5, 2020.
Jaishankar, who is on his first trip to Brazil as the EAM, added, "That problem has not been resolved and it is clearly casting a shadow."
"They are our neighbours. Everybody wants to get along with their neighbour. In personal life and country-wise as well. But everybody wants to get along with on reasonable terms. I must respect you. You must respect me," he said.
"So from our point of view, we have been very clear that we have to build the relationship and there has to be mutual respect. Each one will have their interests and we need to be sensitive to what the concerns are for others for a relationship to be built," he added.
Welcoming the Filipino delegation, MEA spokesperson Aridam Bagchi, in a tweet, said: "Pleasure to welcome Secretary of Foreign Affairs @teddyboylocsin (Locsin Jr.) of Philippines as he arrives in Delhi for an official visit.
Warmly welcomed Secretary Foreign Affairs of Philippines @teddyboylocsin.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) April 24, 2022
Appreciated his insights and perspectives on Indo-Pacific, Europe, Myanmar, Ukraine and Multilateralism.
Reviewed the progress in bilateral ties since our last meeting in February. pic.twitter.com/7Nh8TUHmLp
"The visit will strengthen our multi-faceted partnership & advance the shared priorities of our countries in the Indo-Pacific."
In February 13-15, Jaishankar had visited the Philippines and reviewed bilateral relations as both sides agreed to further expand economic cooperation and reaffirmed their strong commitment to a multifaceted partnership.
During his visit to the Philippines, he and Locsin reviewed developments in bilateral relations since the meeting of the Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation that they co-chaired virtually in November 2020.
They also discussed the future trajectory of their wide-ranging bilateral engagement and also had an in-depth exchange of views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.
Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived in India on Sunday for a two-day official visit to strengthen India-EU strategic partnership.
In her first visit to India, she will address the inaugural session on this year's edition of Raisina Dialogue on April 25.
Replying to the discussion in the Lok Sabha on the situation in Ukraine, Jaishankar said all members would agree that India's approach should be guided by its national beliefs and values, national interest and by its national strategy.
Elaborating on what India is advocating in Ukraine, Jaishankar said, "We are strongly against the conflict, we believe that no solution can be arrived at by shedding blood and at the cost of innocent lives. In this day and age, dialogue and diplomacy are the right answers to any disputes."
One should bear in mind that the contemporary global order has been built on the UN Charter, on respect for international law and for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states, he asserted.
"If India has chosen a side, it is a side of peace and it is for an immediate end to violence. This is our principled stand and has consistently guided our position in international forums and debates, including in the UN," Jaishankar said.
Talking about the civilian killings in the Ukrainian city of Bucha, Jaishankar said India is "deeply disturbed" by the reports.
"We strongly condemn the killings that have taken place there. This is an extremely serious matter and we support the call for an independent investigation," he said.
Jaishankar also said that attributing a political colour to India's actions vis-a-vis the Ukraine situation was unfortunate.
He said that during their conversation on Tuesday -- the second in less than a week -- they reviewed "regional and global priorities, including the situation in Ukraine".
"They agreed to remain closely coordinated on developments and looked forward to meeting again soon," he added.
Jaishankar tweeted that they "discussed bilateral issues and latest developments pertaining to Ukraine".
Blinken had called Jaishankar on Wednesday last week on the eve of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's visit to New Delhi and spoke about "the worsening humanitarian situation in Ukraine", Price said.
In diplomatic overtures to India, US Deputy National Security Adviser Daleep Singh visited New Delhi last week and the Ukraine situation and the US sanctions on trade with Russia came up in his discussions with the Indian officials.
And a week before that Victoria Nuland, the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, came to India with Deputy Under Secretary of Defence for Policy Amanda Dory for Foreign Office Consultations at which they discussed regional issues of South Asia, the Indo-Pacific region, and the Middle East, and the situation in Ukraine with Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla and other officials, the Ministry of External Affairs said.
The 2+2 meeting is to take place every year alternating between the capitals, but last year's meeting -- the fourth -- expected to be held in December was postponed because of Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to India around that time.
Putin will be the unseen presence casting a shadow over the meeting of Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh with Blinken and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin with their countries differing in their approaches to Ukraine.
While the US has been pressing India -- and all countries -- to join in unequivocally condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine, New Delhi has taken a neutral stance, abstaining at the United Nations on seven votes relating to Ukraine.
But on Tuesday, India made what is likely its strongest statement on the Ukraine situation so far as it "unequivocally condemned" the killings of civilians in Bucha in Ukraine from where the occupying Russian troops withdrew.
"We unequivocally condemn these killings and support the call for an independent investigation," T.S. Tirumurti, India's Permanent Representative to the UN, told the Security Council, but without naming Russia.
The US has also publicly shown understanding of the difficult Indian position because of its dependence on Russian armaments.
Amid criticism of India for its oil purchases from Russia, President Joe Biden's spokesperson Jen Psaki clarified on Monday to the media that its imports were a minuscule 1 to 2 per cent and energy payments to Moscow did not come under American sanctions.
Pentagon Spokesperson John Kirby pointed out at his briefing on Monday that India was diversifying its defence purchases and added, "We'll continue to have that conversation with the Indians."
India's purchases of oil and defence equipment are likely to figure in the 2+2 meeting, besides the Ukraine situation.
The US has offered to help India with its energy needs and also in diversifying its defence needs to lessen the dependence on Russia.
A significant item on the meeting's agenda will be the Indo-Pacific, where India as a member of the Quad, has a crucial role in the US strategy for the region where China has stepped up its aggressive activities.
The Quad, made up of India, the US, Japan and Australia, has been expanding its humanitarian role while also having an eye on strategic affairs.
Lavrov arrived in India on Thursday on a two-day visit, during which he will hold talks over crude offer, rupee-ruble payment, ongoing arms deals and Russia's war in Ukraine.
In his opening remarks at the Hyderabad House, Jaishankar said: "Our bilateral relations have continued to grow in many areas and we have diversified our cooperation by expanding our agenda. Our meeting takes place in a difficult international environment quite apart from the pandemic. India has always been in favour of resolving disputes through diplomacy.
"In our meeting today we will have an opportunity to discuss contemporary issues and concerns in some details."
Jaishankar also noted that 2022 is an "important year in our bilateral relations as we mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic relations".
"Despite the Covid related difficulties, last year turned out to be one of intense bilateral activity that included holding the inaugural 2+2 meeting and, of course, the 21st Annual Summit."
He further said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin have been in "regular touch and have spoken to each other on multiple occasions this year".
"Our bilateral relations has continued to grow in many areas and we have diversified our cooperation by expanding our agenda."
On his part, Lavrov said that "India and Russia have been developing strategic partnerships and this has been our priority. We certainly are interested in having the world order balance. We have intensified our bilateral context".
He also stated that "friendship" is a keyword in India and Russia bilateral relations.
"Our relationship has been very sustainable through difficult times in the past," he said, adding that Putin has sent his best regards to Modi
"These days our western colleagues would like to reduce any meaningful international issue to the crisis in Ukraine. We do not fight anything and we appreciated that India is taking this situation in the entirety of effect and not just one-sided way."
Since Moscow launched its invasion of Kyiv on February 24, India has been facing pressure from the West and its allies to take a stronger stand against Russia.
Till date, India has remained neutral on seven Ukraine-related resolutions at the US.
Visiting on the invitation of Sri Lanka's Foreign Affairs Minister, G.L. Peiris, Jaishankar's visit follows Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa's visit to India early this month and last December and Minister Peiris' visit to India in February.
"The bilateral meetings and interactions which EAM will have in Sri Lanka highlight the priority that the Sri Lanka occupies for India," announcing the visit of EAM, the Indian External Affairs Ministry stated.
In a series of financial and humanitarian assistance by India, on March 18, $1 billion credit facility was extended to Sri Lanka as a "short term concessional loan facility".
Helping to import food, other essential commodities and medicines from India, the SBI had provided the facility following an agreement signed between the two countries during the visit of Lanka's Finance Minister Rajapaksa.
Triggered by a shortage of foreign exchange, with last week's $1 billion, India has provided $2.4 billion financial assistance to Sri Lanka since January.
Jaishankar, who was present at the signing of the agreement with Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had tweeted: "Neighbourhood first. India stands with Sri Lanka. $1 billion credit line signed for supply of essential commodities. Key element of the package of support extended by India," Jaishankar tweeted.
Before visiting Colombo, Jaishankar will visit Addu city in Maldives on March 26-27 and will call on President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and is to hold discussions with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid.
Both Maldives and Sri Lanka are India's key maritime neighbours in the Indian Ocean Region and occupy special place in Prime Minister's vision of 'SAGAR' and Neighbourhood First.
Jaishankar's visit is testimony to the importance that India attaches to its close and friendly relations with the Maldives and Sri Lanka, the External Affairs Ministry reiterated.
Wang, who holds the rank of state councillor, arrived in Delhi on Thursday evening from Kabul. There had been no official announcement or word on the visit.
"Greeted Chinese FM Wang Yi at Hyderabad House. Our discussions commence shortly," Jaishankar tweeted in the first official comment by India on the Chinese foreign minister's trip.
Ahead of talks with Jaishankar, Wang met National Security Adviser Ajit Doval.
There was no official comment on the meeting.
The border issue is understood to have figured prominently in the meeting as both Wang and Doval have been serving as Special Representatives (SR) for boundary talks between the two countries.
Doval and Wang held a lengthy telephonic conversation in July 2020 and the talks focused on bringing down tension in eastern Ladakh.
Jaishankar and Wang have met in Moscow and Tajik capital Dushanbe on the sidelines of multilateral events in the last one-and-a-half years. But this is the first high-level visit between India and China after their ties came under severe strain following the border standoff in eastern Ladakh nearly two years ago.
Ahead of the visit, India criticised Wang over his remarks on Kashmir at a meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Pakistan.
For China, it is learnt, the visit is more to do with the geopolitical turmoil in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine than bilateral ties.
However, the Indian side is unlikely to shift focus from the eastern Ladakh row. it is expected to press for complete disengagement of troops from all the friction points in the region for resumption of normal bilateral ties.
India and China have been holding high-level military talks to resolve the face-off in the remaining friction points in eastern Ladakh. Both sides withdrew troops already from some of the friction points following the talks.
On March 11, India and China held the 15th round of high-level military dialogue to resolve the pending issues in the eastern Ladakh region. However, there was no forward movement in the talks which were aimed at resolving the remaining issues.
In September 2020, Jaishankar and Wang held extensive talks in Moscow on the sidelines of a conclave of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) during which they reached a five-point agreement to resolve the eastern Ladakh border row.
The pact included quick disengagement of troops, avoiding action that could escalate tensions, adherence to all agreements and protocols on border management and steps to restore peace along the LAC.
The two foreign ministers had held a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of another SCO meeting in Dushanbe in July last year with a focus on the border row. They again met in Dushanbe in September.
India has been consistently maintaining that peace and tranquillity along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) is key for the overall development of the bilateral ties.
Recently, Wang said some forces have always sought to stoke tensions between China and India, an apparent reference to the US.
The eastern Ladakh border standoff between the Indian and Chinese militaries erupted on May 5, 2020, following a violent clash in the Pangong lake areas.
Both sides gradually enhanced their deployment by rushing in tens of thousands of soldiers as well as heavy weaponry.
As a result of a series of military and diplomatic talks, the two sides completed the disengagement process last year in the north and south banks of the Pangong lake and in the Gogra area.
Each side currently has around 50,000 to 60,000 troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the sensitive sector.
"Pleasure to meet Defence Minister @florence_parly. As trusted strategic partners, discussed contemporary developments. Convergence in our outlook and interests was visible. Affirmed our commitment to cooperate on new and emerging security challenges, he tweeted after the meeting.
Jaishankar, who arrived here from Germany on Sunday on a three-day visit to France, also met his New Zealand counterpart Nanaia Mahuta and discussed opportunities to expand bilateral partnership.
"Glad to meet New Zealand FM @NanaiaMahuta . Interesting exchange of perspectives on the Indo-Pacific from our respective vantage points. Also discussed opportunities to expand our bilateral partnership, he tweeted.
On Sunday, Jaishankar held wide-ranging talks with his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian during which they discussed key regional and global issues, particularly the India-EU relationship, and exchanged perspectives on the situation in Afghanistan, Iranian nuclear deal and the Ukraine crisis.
Jaishankar and Drian also reiterated their shared commitment to the principles of multilateralism and a rules-based order, and agreed to coordinate in the UN Security Council on issues of mutual concern.
During his visit to France, Jaishankar will also hold meetings with other French dignitaries, EU Commissioners as well as with his counterparts from other Indo-Pacific countries participating in the EU Indo-Pacific Forum.
China claims nearly all of the disputed South China Sea, though Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam all claim parts of it. Beijing has built artificial islands and military installations in the South China Sea.
Beijing is also involved in a maritime dispute with Japan over the East China Sea. Both areas are stated to be rich in minerals, oil and other natural resources and are also vital to global trade.
Speaking at the fifth Indian Ocean Conference - IOC 2021 in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, Jaishankar also said that in a globalised world, it is vital that the freedom of navigation and overflight and unimpeded commerce are respected and facilitated.
Noting that a number of developments have taken place that have direct bearing on the well-being of the Indian Ocean region, the minister said that two developments - the changing American strategic posture and the rise of China - have influenced the evolution of the Indian Ocean in recent years.
"Since 2008, we have witnessed a greater caution in US power projection and an effort to correct its over-extension. It may have taken different forms and be articulated in very different ways. But there is a larger consistency over three Administrations that they themselves may not readily recognise," he said.
"It is expressed in footprint and posture, terms of engagement, extent of involvement and nature of initiatives. Overall, the United States is moving towards greater realism both about itself and the world. It is adjusting to multipolarity and rebalancing and re-examining the balance between its domestic revival and commitments abroad, he said.
"The second major trend is the rise of China. Even otherwise, the emergence of a power at a global level is an extraordinary happening. That this is a different' kind of polity enhances the sense of change. The USSR may have borne some similarities, but it never had the centrality to the global economy that China has today," he said.
"The consequences of China's growing capabilities are particularly profound because of the extrapolation of its domestic seamlessness to the world outside. As a result, whether it is connectivity, technology or trade, there is now an ongoing debate on the changed nature of power and influence.
"Separately, we have also seen a sharpening of tensions on territorial issues across the breadth of Asia. Agreements and understandings of yesteryears now seem to have some question marks. Time will, of course, provide answers, he said, apparently referring to the unresolved border standoff between India and China in eastern Ladakh since May last year.
India has told China that it should adhere to the previously signed bilateral agreements on maintaining peace and tranquillity along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
The Chinese military's aggressive moves in eastern Ladakh along the LAC with India last year triggered a border standoff between the two sides.
The standoff between the Indian and Chinese militaries erupted on May 5 last year following a violent clash in the Pangong lake areas and both sides gradually enhanced their deployment by rushing in tens of thousands of soldiers as well as heavy weaponry.
India, the US and several other world powers have been talking about the need to ensure a free, open and thriving Indo-Pacific in the backdrop of China's rising military maneuvering in the region.
China claims nearly all of the disputed South China Sea, though Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam all claim parts of it. Beijing has built artificial islands and military installations in the South China Sea.
Asserting that difficult times require stronger international cooperation, he said the Quad - the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue comprising the United States, India, Japan and Australia - is a good example at one extremity of the Indian Ocean.
"Within the space of a year, it has developed a robust agenda covering maritime security, cyber security, climate action, vaccine collaboration, critical and emerging technologies, higher education, resilient supply chains, disinformation, multilateral organisations, semi-conductors, counter-terrorism, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief as well as infrastructure development. The old adage that where there is a will there is a way clearly has much to it, he said.
"Another promising endeavour is the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative that is being undertaken in the framework of the East Asia Summit at the initiative of India. It is a good illustration of the practical challenges that we, the nations of the Indian Ocean, face in terms of nurturing, securing and utilizing the maritime domain, he said.
He said that any serious discussion of a domain naturally involves an assessment of the rules that apply. In the case of the maritime one, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982 is regarded very much as the constitution for the seas.
"Especially in a globalised world, it is vital that freedom of navigation and overflight and unimpeded commerce are respected and facilitated. It is also essential that disputes, if any, are resolved through peaceful means without threat or use of force and the exercise of self-restraint in the conduct of activities.
"As a state party to UNCLOS itself, India has always urged all parties to show utmost respect for the convention, including recognising the authority of its tribunal and its awards. Only then can we be assured that the sea lanes of communication remain conducive to peace, stability, prosperity and development, he added.
In 2016, an international tribunal ruled against China's claims to rights in the disputed South China Sea. Beijing dismissed the ruling that favoured the Philippines and said it would not be bound by it.
In August, the Presidential Statement on maritime security, adopted unanimously under India's Presidency after the UN Security Council open debate reaffirmed in categorical terms that the 1982 UNCLOS sets out the legal framework for maritime activities, sending a strong message to China.
Jaishankar also said that the American withdrawal from Afghanistan and the impact of COVID pandemic have significantly heightened uncertainties in the Indian Ocean region that is particularly vulnerable to health and economic stresses.
On the existential issue of climate change, he said countries of the Indian Ocean have the highest stakes. "There is widespread disappointment about the lack of adequate progress on climate finance. Developing countries cannot consent to the developed shifting responsibilities, he said.
The theme of the fifth Indian Ocean Conference - IOC 2021 - is "Indian Ocean: Ecology, Economy, Epidemic". The first edition of the conference was hosted in Singapore in 2016 followed by three successive editions in Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Maldives respectively.
Noting that Afghanistan is passing through a "critical and challenging" phase, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also said the international community must come forward to help it.
In a virtual address at the UN high-level meeting on the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, the minister said that India has consistently supported a central role of the global body in the future of the war-torn country.
"India's own approach to Afghanistan has always been guided by our historical friendship with its people and this will continue to be the case," he added.
A multilateral platform is always "more effective" than small groups of countries in building global consensus, he said.
There has been a sea change in its political, economic, social and security situation and consequently, its humanitarian needs, the minister said.
Jaishankar further said that the issue of travel and safe passage that can emerge as an obstacle to humanitarian assistance be immediately sorted out.
Those who want to travel into and out of Afghanistan should be granted such facilities without obstructions, he added.
"As an immediate neighbour, India is monitoring developments with understandable concerns," he said.
He said the international community must come together to create the best possible enabling environment to assist the country.
The issue, along with cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan and bilateral aspects of the Indo-US relations, is expected to figure in the talks that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will have with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar here on Wednesday, marking the first high-level engagement in the Modi government's second term.
Pompeo will also meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on Wednesday.
During the visit, the two sides will review the overall bilateral relationship and decide on the future course of action over the next five years, diplomatic sources said here on Tuesday.
It will particularly set the stage for the meeting between Modi and US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of G-20 Summit in Osaka in Japan later this week.
Regarding the talks that Jaishankar and Pompeo will have, the diplomatic sources said the growing tensions in the Persian Gulf would figure in the discussions.
The sources said the developing situation there is a "matter of great concern" to India, considering its interests in the region, including the large diaspora present there.
India wants de-escalation and it will be conveyed to the US Secretary of State, the sources said.
"We have a strong interest in maintaining stability in the region. We hope the US will understand," they said.
The sources said India is also in touch with Iran in the context of its efforts to ensure de-escalation.
Tensions have been building in the Persian Gulf region over the recent weeks and the US was on the verge of conducting military action against Iran a few days back.
After withdrawing the military action, the Trump administration on Monday imposed fresh sanctions targeted at Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his military aides, a decision Iran described as "end of diplomacy" between the two countries.
With respect to the lifting of waiver by the US to Indian companies importing oil from Iran, which came into effect from May, the sources said buying petroleum products is a commercial decision by the firms.
They said the Indian companies have decided not to import oil from Iran for the time being.
On Chahbahar port in Iran, which is being built with Indian assistance, the sources said the companies engaged in the construction have already been given a waiver by the US administration.
"The US understands the strategic importance of the project," the sources said.
But sometimes the companies adopt extra caution, they said, while explaining why the work is making slow progress.
For this, the US administration should make it clear that the project is not sanctioned, the sources said.
The UN diplomat told PTI that a request for such a meeting was submitted very recently, but no date has yet been scheduled for it.
"China asked for closed consultations on the Security Council agenda item 'India Pakistan Question'. The request was in reference to the Pakistani letter to Security Council President," the diplomat said.
Pakistan formally called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss India revoking the special status to Jammu and Kashmir, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi recently said.
The diplomat said that China also submitted a formal request for such a meeting but Poland has to consult and take into account preferences of other Council members before deciding on time and date for the meeting.
The official said that so far no final decision on the time of the meeting had been made and Friday morning is the "earliest realistic option" for the meeting.
Qureshi has sent a formal letter to the president of the Security Council, Polish Ambassador Joanna Wronecka, through country's Permanent Representative Maleha Lodhi to convene the meeting. Qureshi said the letter will also be shared with all members of the UNSC.
Qureshi had said he sent a formal letter to the president of the UNSC through Permanent Representative Lodhi to convene the meeting.
"I have requested in the letter that a special meeting of the Security Council should be called to discuss those actions of India which we consider as illegal and against the UN resolutions," he said.
Qureshi had air-dashed to Beijing for consultation with the Chinese leadership on the issue of raising the Kashmir issue at the UNSC.
He had also said that China backed Pakistan on the issue and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang told him he believed "China will stand up for justice on the Kashmir issue".
During his bilateral meeting with China's foreign minister Wang Yi on Monday in Beijing, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar conveyed that the decision to revoke the special status of Jammu and Kashmir was an internal matter for India.
He said the issue related to changes in a temporary provision of the Constitution of India and was the sole prerogative of the country.
Jaishankar noted that the legislative measures were aimed at promoting better governance and socio-economic development and there was no implication for either the external boundaries of India or the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.
"India was not raising any additional territorial claims. The Chinese concerns in this regard were therefore misplaced," he said.
Jaishankar told Wang that these changes had no bearing on Pakistan as it was an internal matter.
"It did not impact the LoC. Where India Pakistan relations are concerned, Chinese side should base its assessment on realities. India, as a responsible power, had shown restraint in face of provocative Pakistani rhetoric and actions. India has always stood for normalisation of the ties in an atmosphere free of terror," he said.
After India revoked Jammu and Kashmir's (J&K)special status on August 5 and announced the bifurcation of the State into two Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh, Pakistan announced that it will approach the UN Security Council against New Delhi's decision.
India has categorically told the international community that its move to scrap Article 370 of the Constitution removing the special status to Jammu and Kashmir was an internal matter and has also advised Pakistan to "accept the reality".
Amid India's consistent growth as a potent power on global stage, the point was made by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar before an influential Washington audience after a major foreign policy speech at a top US think tank, the Centre for Strategic and International Studies.
If you have... a United Nations where the most populous country in the world -- may be in 15 years -- with the third largest economy is not in the decision making of the United Nations, I grant you, it affects the country concerned.
"But I would also suggest it affects the United Nations' credibility, said Jaishankar in response to a question after his speech.
Obviously, we are biased. We believe we have a good case, he asserted.
It's not just the Security Council. Look, say how the peacekeeping operations (are being undertaken) around, who actually kind of decide. There are other angles. I mean, you could argue, who gives the budget and therefore that should be a factor. That's a reasonable proposition, he said.
This is one of the key challenges facing the world today, which is all that we took as given over the last 70 years. I'm not suggesting they're going to disappear or they'll become irrelevant, but surely things are happening beyond them. And that is creating a new kind of international relations. It's something which we all need to get real about, Jaishankar asserted.
Noting that one doesn't have to look too far into the future, he said one actually needs to look back into the past.
Just look back at the last five years, 10 years, 15 years. What we have seen is that many institutions have come under stress because they've lost legitimacy, vitality, (and) efficiency, he said.
If significant countries don't get the substantial interests sorted out, they start looking elsewhere. If you look at the trade, the fact is that you have a proliferation of free trade agreements today and that is because there is the feeling that the global trading arrangement was not going to happen, he said.
We see that often in security situations (also) where, if you look at -- may be the last decade or two -- in the Middle East, you actually have coalitions of countries, partly because they are the only countries who have an interest or in some cases they couldn't convince other countries or in some cases they went to the United Nations (but) didn't get the way and so decided they'd do something else, he said.
This is the reality, he said.
I accept, I mean, it would not be my case that I would abandon an institution and say an ad hoc solution is preferable to an institution.
"Everybody's first choice would be the normative choice. But what you have is the reality of countries, which look beyond or look around, said Jaishankar.
The two sides are likely to sign six to seven MoUs in the areas of connectivity, capacity-building and culture after the talks at the Hyderabad House here.
"The bilateral relations have never been so close. Naturally, the focus of discussion will be on bilateral relationship. When I say bilateral relationship, we are talking about the next steps the two countries should take now to get the relationship in a different trajectory," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said at a briefing on Friday.
The talks would revolve around trade and connectivity, development cooperation and people to people connect, culture and other issues of mutual interest.
The two sides were also expected to ink another agreement for the supply of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from Bangladesh to India's northeast.
Omera Petroleum and Beximco LPG will export LPG to the state-owned Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), which will bottle and sell to consumers
Another likely deal was for a new waterway to connect the Meghna river in Bangladesh with the Gomati in Tripura.
The minister said India-China relations were dependent on three 'mutuals' and eight principles. One of the principles, he said was that while both nations are committed to a multi-polar world, "there should be a recognition that a multi-polar Asia is one of its essential constituents."
Among other principles, he said the agreements already reached must be adhered to in their entirety, both in letter and spirit. Where the handling of the border areas are concerned, the LAC must be strictly observed and respected, any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo is completely unacceptable, he said.
Also, peace and tranquillity in the border areas is the basis for development of relations in other domains. "If they are disturbed, so inevitably will the rest of the relationship. This is quite apart from the issue of progress in the boundary negotiations," he said.
The fifth principle he said that is obviously that each state will have its own interests, concerns and priorities, but sensitivity to them cannot be one-sided. At the end of the day, relationships between major states are reciprocal in nature.
Sixth, as rising powers, each will have their own set of aspirations and their pursuit too cannot be ignored. Seventh, there will always be divergences and differences but their management is essential to the ties. And eighth, civilisational states like India and China must always take the long view.
Whether it is India's immediate concerns or more distant prospects, the fact is that the development of our ties can only be based on the three 'mutuals' - mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interests, Jaishankar said.
"Any expectation that they can be brushed aside, and that life can carry on undisturbed despite the situation at the border, that is simply not realistic. There are discussions underway through various mechanisms on disengagement at the border areas. But if ties are to be steady and progress, policies must take into account the learnings of the last three decades," he added.
Recalling the factors that led to the deterioration in bilateral relations, Jaishankar said, "For all the differences and disagreements that we may have had on the boundary, the central fact was that border areas still remained fundamentally peaceful. The last loss of life before 2020 was, in fact, as far back as 1975."
"That is why the events in eastern Ladakh last year have profoundly disturbed the relationship because they not only signalled a disregard for commitments about minimising troop levels, but also showed a willingness to breach peace and tranquillity."
Arguing that the ability of India and China to work together will determine the Asian century, Jaishankar said, "At this time, it is equally important to recognise that their difficulties in doing so may well undermine it."
Given the "gravity" of India's situation with China, he did not have a definitive answer to offer at this point in time.
"Significantly, to date, we have yet to receive a credible explanation for the change in China's stance or reasons for massing of troops in the border areas. It is a different matter that our own forces have responded appropriately and held their own in very challenging circumstances. The issue before us is what the Chinese posture signals, how it evolves, and what implications it may have for the future of our ties," he said.
(With IANS Inputs)