Dialogue and diplomacy only solution to conflicts, not an era of war: Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar reiterated that this is “not an era of war” and stressed dialogue and diplomacy as the only solution to global conflicts. During his Bulgaria visit, he also highlighted concerns over terrorism, supply chains and economic security

Sofia: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has pushed for “dialogue and diplomacy” as the only solution amid ongoing multiple conflicts and reiterated India’s stance that this is “not an era of war.” Jaishankar made these remarks on Wednesday after the meeting with his Bulgarian counterpart Velislava Petrova-Chamova.

Jaishankar said that “the world is passing through an exceptionally volatile and uncertain future, including multiple major conflicts, concerns about economic security, recent experience of the pandemic, and recurring threat of terrorism.”

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“India has a clear position in respect of all of them. We believe that this is not an era of war. The only solution to this conflict is dialogue and diplomacy.” Jaishankar also said that as the voice of the Global South, India has repeatedly underlined concerns of energy, food and fertilisers.

“Where economic risks are concerned, the answer is in supply chain resilience and in further diversification. It is particulary important that maritime trade is neither impeded nor endangered. On behalf of the Global South, India has also repeatedly underlined concerns of energy, food and fertilisers,” he said. “…the COVID period demonstrated the need for deeper international cooperation,” he added.

“As for terrorism, the world must be clear on zero tolerance. On all these issues, there was a meeting of minds between India and Bulgaria,” Jaishankar informed.

Jaishankar is on a two-nation tour of Bulgaria and Finland from June 10-11. The two-nation visit is aimed at advancing India’s engagement with European partners and strengthening bilateral cooperation across a range of sectors.