External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said India does not expect its neighbouring countries to consistently act in India’s interest, and that relationships remain stable only when both sides arrive at a shared understanding.
Speaking at an event organised by a private English news agency in Delhi, he said India’s foreign policy is rooted in mutual interests. For any relationship to function well, he noted, it must deliver benefits to both countries.
Jaishankar added that just as India seeks to understand and respect its neighbours, it expects reciprocal respect. On issues such as terrorism, he said public sentiment in India cannot be ignored, and that many Indians believe Pakistan supports terrorism.
He also referred to the long history between the United States and Pakistan, but said Pakistan stands apart in using terrorism against India. According to him, no other country uses terrorism in the way Pakistan does to attack or pressure a neighbour.
On India-China ties, Jaishankar said both are major economies and part of global supply chains, and that a stable relationship benefits both. However, he said the situation along the border shapes bilateral ties, and India must strengthen its own capabilities while continuing to maintain good relations with China and other countries, facing competition with confidence and firmness.
