Pak-sponsored terrorism a challenge, Asserts india

New Delhi: Attacking Pakistan, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday said India faces a "unique challenge" from one neighbour who needs to act normal and take measures against cross-border terrorism.

Addressing his first press conference after assuming office in the Modi 2.0 government in May, Jaishankar, while presenting the ministry's work in the first 100 days, said that one of the key achievements of the government in this period has been a strong connection between national security and foreign policy goals.

He said the Indian voice is now heard much more on the global stage, be it at G20 summit or at climate conferences.

The minister said India's narrative on issues like cross-border terrorism and abrogation of Article 370 has been articulated to global audience.

In an obvious reference to Pakistan, Jaishankar said, "We have a unique challenge from one neighbour and that would remain a challenge until that neighbour becomes a normal neighbour and acts against cross-border terrorism."

Slamming Pakistan, Jaishankar said the issue with Pakistan is not the scrapping of Article 370 but the country's terrorists and India must make the world realise that.

He further said, "I always ask other people show me anywhere else in the world where any country conducts terrorism openly against its neighbour as part of what it considers its foreign policy."

Jaishankar also expressed happiness at Donald Trump's decision to attend the 'Howdy, Modi' event in Houston, saying that it is a matter of great honour that the US President has accepted the Indian community's invitation.

Speaking on the relationship between India and the US, Jaishankar assured that the "relations are in very good health". "India-US relations have come a long way, I assure you that relations are in very good health.

As the relationship grows there will be issues. We've been talking to the US, my expectation is that the sharper edges will be addressed in the not too distant future," Jaishankar said.

Jaishankar called Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Houston event in the US "a great achievement of Indian-American community". "I regard this as a great achievement of the Indian- American community.

If today there is an event of this size and you have President Donald Trump coming there, it shows where that community has reached, how it is regarded in the US," said Jaishankar.