India's Minister of External Affairs, S Jaishankar, emphasized on Thursday that India's diplomatic relations with its neighbors, with the exception of China and Pakistan, have shown remarkable improvement compared to previous years.
Addressing the media to highlight India's diplomatic achievements in the region, Jaishankar acknowledged the complexities in India's relationship with China, describing it as "challenging." However, he expressed India's confidence and capability to safeguard its interests amidst these challenges.
While responding to concerns regarding Chinese influence in neighboring countries, Jaishankar asserted India's readiness to compete in a competitive global environment. He dismissed the notion that India faces more unfriendly neighbors than a decade ago, urging to inquire about India's assistance and support provided to countries like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal during critical times.
Acknowledging existing challenges with China and Pakistan, Jaishankar emphasized the overall improvement in India's relations with its other neighbors. He highlighted the strengthening ties with Bangladesh across various sectors and expressed optimism regarding the trajectory of India-Bangladesh relations despite sporadic protests.
Regarding territorial disputes with China and the BJP's stance on Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK), Jaishankar reiterated India's consistent position, emphasizing the unity across political parties in upholding India's territorial integrity.
Turning to India's relationship with Pakistan, Jaishankar underscored terrorism as a central issue, affirming India's unwavering stance against terrorism and its commitment to address any security challenges posed by Pakistan.
Highlighting a significant shift in India's foreign policy over the past decade, Jaishankar emphasized the strengthened ties with Gulf countries, particularly the UAE. He noted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's historic visit to the UAE, marking the first such visit by an Indian Prime Minister since Indira Gandhi's time, and underscored the efforts to enhance India's relations with Gulf nations under Modi's leadership.
In summary, Jaishankar's remarks underscored India's diplomatic achievements, its readiness to navigate challenges in its relationships with China and Pakistan, and its efforts to strengthen ties with other neighboring and Gulf countries.
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