• Source:JND
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External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday underlined the importance of recognising demographic and economic realities. Speaking at the ‘At the Heart of Development: Aid, Trade, and Technology’ event organised by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, Jaishankar said, “This is a reality. You cannot run away from this reality."

While acknowledging that debates may continue on where the global workforce should be “housed and located,” Jaishankar pointed out that no country can rely solely on its national demographics to meet rising labour demands.

At the G20 Foreign Ministers’ meeting, Jaishankar underscored terrorism as a persistent disruptor of growth. “It is imperative that the world display neither tolerance nor accommodation to terrorist activities. Given the extensive networking among terrorists, those who act against them on any front actually render a larger service to the international community as a whole,” he said.

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Peace And Development Under Strain

Linking peace and development, Jaishankar pointed out that both have deteriorated in recent years, disproportionately affecting the Global South. He cited conflicts such as Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas as examples of how geopolitical tensions spill over into global concerns, impacting food security, energy stability, and fertiliser supplies. These disruptions, he noted, deepen existing inequalities and slow down development trajectories in vulnerable regions.

On the sidelines, Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s stance on international disputes. Referring to Europe, he reiterated support for a comprehensive and lasting settlement of the Cyprus Question in line with UN frameworks and Security Council resolutions. “Appreciate his insights on developments in Europe,” Jaishankar wrote, adding that he looked forward to welcoming Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos to India soon.

Engagement With Pacific Nations

Beyond these discussions, the EAM also deepened India’s outreach in the Pacific. During the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, he held talks with leaders from the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Palau. In his exchanges with Foreign Minister Kalani Kaneko (Marshall Islands), Foreign Minister Paulson Panapa (Tuvalu), and Minister Gustav Aitaro (Palau), Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s commitment to engaging with the Pacific region, stressing partnerships in climate resilience, development aid, and capacity building.

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Jaishankar projected India’s vision of an interconnected world, where nations cannot ignore shared challenges, whether terrorism, supply chain disruptions, or workforce mobility. “You can’t escape reality,” his remarks implied, underscoring that collaborative solutions are the only path forward.