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India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar outlined New Delhi’s neighbourhood policy, stressing cooperation with friendly neighbours and firm action against hostile ones. Referring to Bangladesh and regional examples like Sri Lanka and COVID vaccine support, he said India invests, helps and shares, but will not accept external diktats.
Jaishankar Sends Firm Message on India’s Neighbourhood Policy
New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has expressed a clear and forthright stance on India's neighborhood policy and the current situation in Bangladesh. He stated that as a responsible neighbor, India prioritizes cooperation, investment, and partnership with neighboring countries, but that "what we should and should not do is not for anyone else to decide."
Jaishankar noted that he recently visited Bangladesh, where he represented India at the funeral of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. He stated that there is a natural sense of help and cooperation towards good neighbors or at least harmless neighbors and this is what India has always done.
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The Foreign Minister stated that wherever there is a spirit of good neighborliness, India invests, provides assistance, and shares resources. Citing the example of the COVID-19 pandemic, he explained that India provided the first consignment of vaccines to most of its neighbors. This is practical evidence of India's "Neighbor First" policy.
Jaishankar, citing the Sri Lankan crisis, said that when the country was under extraordinary economic pressure and international dialogue was slow, India provided assistance with a package of approximately $4 billion. He indicated that India stands with its neighbors in difficult times, whether through economic assistance or humanitarian support.
Jaishankar said that unfortunately, India also has some "bad neighbors." Referring to the Western direction, he clarified that if a country deliberately and consistently promotes terrorism, India has every right to protect its citizens. India will decide how and when to exercise this right.
The Foreign Minister said that India's growth today is a "rising wave." If India progresses, it creates development opportunities for neighboring countries as well. Referring to the elections in Bangladesh, he expressed hope that cooperation and neighborly feelings will further strengthen in the region once the situation normalizes.
