Jaishankar discusses India's complex neighbour relations
India's External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, says building good relationships with neighboring countries isn't always easy.
Speaking on June 21, he admitted we "should not expect smooth sailing," but emphasized India's focus on shared interests.
Except for Pakistan, most neighbors see value in working with India.
India has stepped up its engagement with Gulf, ASEAN
Jaishankar pointed out that India has stepped up its engagement with the Gulf, ASEAN, and Indo-Pacific regions over the past decade.
He criticized earlier neglect of border infrastructure along the China border but said recent upgrades helped India respond strongly after the 2020 Galwan clash.
India's approach to neighbors
He also highlighted stronger counter-terrorism actions since 2016 and how India has managed stable ties even when neighbors like Sri Lanka and Maldives faced political turmoil.
Jaishankar summed up India's approach as building stability through diplomacy and shared goals.