There is a need to acknowledge that China will influence India’s neighbours, but New Delhi must not be afraid of such “competitive politics”, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Tuesday, as he also highlighted the active role of the Indian Navy in the Red Sea region, as it The region has played an active role. Maritime capabilities and ability to assist persons in distress.
While interacting with students at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Mumbai, Jaishankar answered questions on a range of issues – from China to India’s tense relations with the Maldives, deployment of naval warships in the Red Sea region and the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict conflict war between.
Talking about pirates and drone attacks on merchant ships in key areas of the Red Sea and New Delhi’s response, he said that if bad things happen around India, India will not be regarded as a responsible country, “We say I have nothing to do with this.” It’s nothing to do with anything.”
Every neighbor has problems, but ultimately “neighbors need each other,” he said when asked about India’s strained relations with the Maldives, whose new president Mohamed Muizum is seen as pro-China. Jaishankar, who served as ambassador to Beijing during his decades-long career as an IFS official, said there was competition for China’s growing influence in the region but it would be wrong to call it a failure of Indian diplomacy.
“We have to realize that China is also a neighbor and as part of competitive politics, China affects these countries in many ways. I don’t think we should be afraid of China. I think we should say ‘OK, global politics is a competitive game . You do your best, and I will do my best,” said the diplomat-turned-politician.
As the world’s second-largest economy, the communist giant will deploy resources and try to shape things its own way, he said, adding, “Why should we expect otherwise, but the answer is not to complain that China is doing this.” What I want to say today… is that we should not be afraid of competition. We should welcome competition and say I am capable of competing,” Jaishankar added.
Referring to India’s record of helping its neighbors, he cited the example of Sri Lanka, to which New Delhi provided millions of dollars in aid when the island nation suffered a severe economic crisis.
When asked about the India Go Out campaign in the Maldives, Jaishankar urged the audience to “believe” in Indian diplomacy. “Every country has problems with its neighbors. It’s never as good as they say. Things are never as bad as they say. There will be problems. Our job is to anticipate, assess, respond. At the end of the day, neighbors It still matters,” the foreign minister said. “At the end of the day, neighbors need each other. History and geography are very powerful forces. There’s no escaping that,” he added.
Earlier this month, newly elected Maldives President Moezu asked India to withdraw its military personnel deployed in the Indian Ocean archipelago nation by March 15. In addition, Muizou broke the tradition of previous Maldivian presidents and visited China before India. When talking about the Indian Navy’s deployment of warships in the Red Sea region to respond to attacks on merchant ships, Jaishankar said that India now has stronger capabilities, its own interests and reputation, and has reason to help those in distress.
Jaishankar said that the Indian Navy has deployed 10 ships in the area. “India’s greater capabilities, our own interests and our reputation today ensure that we can indeed help in difficult circumstances,” he said. Jaishankar said there were problems with piracy and drone attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea. “We’re not considered a responsible country if something bad happens in our neighborhood and we say I had nothing to do with it. When you’re in trouble, the neighbors say the same thing,” he said . Talking about the crisis in West Asia, Jaishankar claimed that India was in favor of a two-state solution to end the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
He said the conflict must be viewed holistically and called Hamas’ deadly incursion into Israel nearly four months ago a terrorist attack. Jaishankar, India and many countries believe that (the problem) can only be solved (solved) by a two-state solution, that is, a state must be established alongside the Palestinian state. State of Israel.
He said that the incident that occurred on October 7, 2023 was a terrorist attack, referring to a series of attacks in Israel after Hamas militants crossed the border. Some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed in the attack, and nearly 250 Israelis and other nationals were taken hostage by Hamas.
“I don’t think there should be any confusion about this,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated. “As a country that has experienced so much terrorism itself, I think it is important that we recognize this and that we express our solidarity as another victim of terrorism.” Minister (with Israel). Regarding Israel’s strong response to the Hamas attack that triggered the war in the Gaza Strip, he said that when any country responds, it is equally important to comply with international law and called for avoiding civilian casualties.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from associated news agency – PTI)
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