Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has commented that India does not control the political actions of each of its neighbors. He told Indian media India Today on Wednesday (September 25) that it is not that India wants to control every political move of every neighbor. This is not how it works.
He said these things in response to questions after a discussion at the Asia Society Policy Institute in New York.
Expressing confidence in the endurance of India's diplomatic relations with Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar said India's approach to its neighbors remains "positive and constructive".
Jaishankar responded to concerns that the change in leadership, including the ousting of Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the election of Marxist leader Anudha Kumara Dissanayake as Sri Lanka's new president, would worsen India's relations with its neighbours.
Jaishankar asserted that each country's political dynamics would evolve independently, but mutual benefit and regional interdependence would continue cooperation. 'I am very confident... the reality of interdependence or mutual benefit and our ability to stay united will both work in our interests. He said that these realities will emerge.
In the context of Bangladesh, Jaishankar cited a decade of economic cooperation as the basis for continued positive relations.
He further mentioned, "What we have done in the last decade is to do different kinds of projects, which has been good for both of us." Overall economic activity has increased and the region's supply has improved.
He asserted that regardless of the change in leadership, both countries would benefit from India's long-term projects with Bangladesh.