External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated on Saturday that significant changes have taken place on the global stage regarding engagements and cooperation, attributing much of this progress to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. He asserted that some global partnerships are more complex than others and friendships are “not exclusive” in today’s multipolar world
Addressing a book launch event in New Delhi, the External Affairs Minister said, “Some friends may also be more complicated than others. They may not always share the same culture of mutual respect or ethos of diplomatic etiquette”. He underlined that friends are not always black and white, nor will friendship be linear in development.
Jaishankar further emphasised that while comments on India’s domestic issues are common, the same level of courtesy is not reciprocated by others. He noted that what is framed as freedom by some may be seen as interference by others.
“We have, from time to time, seen comments on our domestic issues… However, the same courtesies are rarely accorded to the other side. What is freedom for one can apparently become interference from the other. The fact is that sensitivities like sovereignty and territorial integrity will always be a factor in evaluating partners,” the minister remarked.
He added, “sometimes, friends have other friends who may not necessarily be ours and they may, for example, reflect the dilemma of the old world order and the new. It is, therefore, essential that we never confuse convergence for congruence”.
“Friendships are also not exclusive, particularly so in a multi-polar world,” Jaishankar asserted.
Praising PM Modi’s engagement on the global front, Jaishankar said, India is today positioning itself as a “Vishwamitra”.
“We seek to be friends with as many as possible… If you look deeper, there are cultural and historical factors at work as well, including the fact that we are not a dogmatic civilisation. There is a capability aspect as well which accounts for the self-confidence with which we approach the world,” the minister added.
Jaishankar highlighted the benefits that the US, Japan, and Australia have gained from the QUAD, noting it as a triumph over historical hesitations. He also mentioned the recent comprehensive engagement with the UAE and Israel, as well as India’s relationships with Russia and France as indicative of a multipolar world.
“If all these types have changed so much in the last decade, I’m sure you would agree with me that much of the credit should go to PM Modi for his personal interest and leadership. Because, remember, at least three of them had not even seen a high-level visit for three decades. In other cases, there was either pressure on us to limit our interaction or in a few cases longstanding ideological doubts to overcome,” he said.
The Minister stressed that friendships are characterised by comfort and alignment, facilitating collaboration through mutual respect and an understanding of each party’s constraints. He highlighted the importance of maximising shared interests to strengthen these relationships.
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