New Delhi, Aug 30 – External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed India’s evolving foreign policy stance during the release of Ambassador Rajiv Sikri’s new book, Strategic Conundrums: Reshaping India’s Foreign Policy, on Friday. Jaishankar made it clear that the era of uninterrupted dialogue with Pakistan has ended.
“We are past the era of continuous dialogue with Pakistan,” Jaishankar stated. “Actions have consequences, and as far as Jammu and Kashmir is concerned, Article 370 is no longer a point of contention. The real question now is what kind of relationship we can envisage with Pakistan. Rajiv Sikri suggests in his book that India might be content with the current level of engagement. This could be true, or it might not be. We are not passive in this regard, and we will respond to events as they unfold, whether positively or negatively.”
Turning to Afghanistan, Jaishankar highlighted the strong people-to-people ties between the two nations, despite shifting geopolitical dynamics. “There is significant goodwill for India at a societal level in Afghanistan. However, we must not forget the fundamentals of statecraft. Our Afghan policy is informed by our clear-eyed understanding of our interests, not by outdated notions,” he said.
Jaishankar emphasized the transformation in Afghanistan’s context with and without the presence of American forces. “The situation in Afghanistan with American forces is markedly different from that without their presence,” he noted.
Regarding India’s relationship with Bangladesh, Jaishankar emphasized a pragmatic approach. “Our relationship with Bangladesh has seen ups and downs since its independence. We must work with the government in power and acknowledge that political changes can be disruptive. It is crucial to seek areas of mutual interest,” he remarked.
On Myanmar, Jaishankar stressed the importance of the Northeast region in shaping India’s approach. “Myanmar presents both relevance and remoteness. The Northeast context is paramount here. We need to balance engagement between the Myanmar government and other stakeholders,” he concluded.
Jaishankar’s remarks reflect a strategic reassessment of India’s foreign policy in response to evolving regional dynamics and international relations.
