New Delhi: Dr S Jaishankar, who has been retained as the External Affairs Minister in the Modi 3.0 cabinet, thanked the Prime Minister. Assuming charge as external affairs minister for the second consecutive term on Tuesday, June 11, Jaishankar said that was honoured to return to office. As he assumed office, Jaishankar outlined the foreign policy priorities of the Narendra Modi 3.0 government.

In the very first reaction, the External Affairs Minster spoke on issues concerning India's border and the country's relations with the two hostile neighbours - Pakistan and China. Jaishankar said that distinct approaches will be adopted to handle relations with China and Pakistan. He said that India's foreign policy under the third term of Prime Minister Narendra Modi will focus on finding solutions to "border issues" with Beijing and the "years-old cross-border terrorism" with Islamabad.

"..The world will definitely feel that today there is a lot of political stability in India. As far as Pakistan and China are concerned, the relations with those countries are different, and the problems there are also different. Our focus with regard to China will be on finding a solution for the border issues and with Pakistan, we would want to find a solution to the issue of years-old cross-border terrorism," said Dr Jaishankar while speaking to reporters on Tuesday.

Jaishankar said that the foreign policy under Modi 3.0 will be successful. “In any country and especially in a democracy, it is a very big deal for a government to get elected three times in a row. So the world will definitely feel that today there is a lot of political stability in India,” said the Foreign Minister. 

India's Approach For UNSC Seat

On New Delhi's decision to pursue permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), Jaishankar expressed optimism. "It has different aspects and I am fully confident that under PM Modi's leadership, the foreign policy of Modi 3.0 will be very successful. For us, the influence of India has been steadily growing. not just in terms of our own perception but also what the other countries think," Dr Jaishankar said.

"They feel that India is truly their friend and they have seen that in times of crisis, if there is one country that stands with the Global South, it is India. They have seen that when we put forward the African Union membership during the presidency of G20, the world trusted us and our responsibilities are also increasing, so we also believe that under the leadership of PM Modi, India's identity in the world will definitely increase..." he added. 

All About India's EAM S Jaishankar 

Jaishankar, currently a Rajya Sabha member from Gujarat, served as India's Foreign Minister during Prime Minister Modi's second-term from 2019 to 2024. Jaishankar was among the senior BJP leaders, including Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari and Nirmala Sitharaman, who retained the ministries that they handled in the previous government. 

He is credited for positioning India on the global stage over complex issues including the two ongoing wars. He has also been credited with managing to bring matters of foreign policy to domestic discourse, especially during India's presidency of the G20.' From blunting western criticism of New Delhi's procurement of crude oil from Moscow in the wake of the war in Ukraine to crafting a firm policy approach to deal with an assertive China, Jaishankar in Modi 2.0 emerged as one of leading ministers.

Jaishankar served as India's foreign secretary from (2015-18), Ambassador to the United States (2013-15), China (2009-2013) and Czech Republic (2000-2004). He was also India's high commissioner to Singapore (2007-2009).