S Jaishankar Makes Significant Statement on India and China’s Simultaneous Rise

New Delhi , May 1 : S Jaishankar, India’s Foreign Minister, has highlighted the country’s diplomatic approach to engaging all significant centers of power, including the United States, Europe, Russia, and Japan, without seeking exclusivity. However, China is viewed differently due to the boundary dispute and the “currently abnormal nature of our ties.” Mr. Jaishankar emphasized India’s most pressing priorities in its neighborhood, with a “Neighborhood First Policy” that takes a generous and non-reciprocal approach to cooperation with smaller neighbors. He also mentioned India’s expansion of connectivity, contacts, and cooperation across the region, including the Act East Policy with ASEAN, the Quad mechanism, and intensified relationships with the Gulf and the Middle East. While India has extended notable economic support to Sri Lanka and stepped up for its neighbors during the Covid challenge and debt pressures, Pakistan remains an exception due to its support for cross-border terrorism. Mr. Jaishankar also acknowledged the competitive aspects of the rise of China and India in parallel time frames.