Don’t expect India to always maintain good relations with neighbouring countries : Emphasises Dr S Jaishankar, EAM

New Delhi – Now, India not only retaliates but also takes initiative if needed. Today, Pakistan doesn’t feel it can do anything and can get away with it. Don’t expect India to always maintain good relations with neighbouring countries. India’s policy is so prudent that with change in the Governments in any countries, the relations remain unaffected, stated external affairs minister (EAM) Dr S Jaishankar while speaking on India’s foreign policy.

Important points presented by Jaishankar

1. The logic that every one of our neighbours needs to realise is that working with India will give you benefits and not working with India has a cost. He added that while most neighbours understand this, some take longer to realise, some understand it better; but Pakistan is an exception because its military controls the country and has built an ‘in-built’ hostility towards India.

2. Earlier Governments let Pakistan go unpunished for its mistakes; but the Modi Government has changed it.

3. The United States can be unpredictable; therefore, India has built strong ties with it through many connections to maintain the relations balanced.

4. After Galwan clashes in 2020, our ties with China worsened; therefore, we had to build border infrastructure to defend our interest along with LAC which the past Governments had ignored and it was absurd. Today, we are standing firmly against China because we have built roads and made necessary provisions.

5. In the last 11 years, the Modi Government has paid special attention to build India’s relations with neighbouring countries.

6. There were a few problems with Maldives earlier; but the ties have improved now.

7. India gets dragged into Nepal’s internal politics but we need not worry about it.

8. There are ups and downs in all relations but we should act wisely. We should not throw up our hands when things get difficult as that shows poor planning.