External affairs minister: Agreements between nations must be respected

NEW DELHI: Effectively addressing conflicts and tensions is a crucial need of the today, foreign minister S Jaishankar said on Thursday, as he expressed concern over the situation in West Asia and cautioned any further escalation could lead to serious consequences. He also said agreements reached between countries must be scrupulously respected, days after India signed the border agreement with China.

Speaking at the Brics outreach session in Kazan (Russia), he said there is widespread anxiety that the conflict would spread further in the region. " Maritime trade has also been deeply affected. The human and material consequences of further escalation are truly serious," said the minister, adding any approach has to be fair and durable, leading to a two-state solution .

Disputes and differences, Jaishankar said, must be settled by dialogue and diplomacy. "Agreements, once reached, must be scrupulously respected. International law should be adhered to, without exception... There should be zero tolerance for terrorism ."

India and China announced earlier this week they had resolved their border standoff through military and diplomatic talks. Concerns remain though about the implementation of the agreement they have reached.

Jaishankar said the Covid-19 pandemic and multiple conflicts have aggravated the burdens borne by the Global South and concerns of health, food and fuel security are particularly acute. He made a five-point proposal to create a more equitable global order, including through reforms of global institutions, particularly the UNSC.

"First, through by strengthening and expanding platforms of an independent nature. And by widening the choices in different domains and minimising undue reliance on those that can be leveraged. This is really where Brics can make a difference for the Global South," he said.