Sat Jun 21 19:28:55 UTC 2025: **Headline: India Navigates Complex Relationships with Neighbors, Balances US & China Dynamics, Says Jaishankar**
**New Delhi, June 22, 2025** – External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed India’s foreign policy over the past 11 years under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, emphasizing the complexities of navigating relationships with neighboring countries while balancing the dynamics between the United States and China.
In an interactive session hosted by DD India, Jaishankar stated that India should not expect “smooth sailing” in its relations with its neighbors but has strived to create a system of “collective interest” to ensure stability, regardless of political regimes. He asserted that all neighbors, excluding Pakistan due to its “in-built hostility,” would ultimately realize the benefits of cooperation with India and the costs of non-cooperation.
Regarding the United States, Jaishankar acknowledged the existing unpredictability and emphasized the need to stabilize ties through numerous linkages and relationships. On China, he stressed the importance of bolstering India’s capabilities to stand up for its national interests, referencing the difficult period following the Galwan Valley clash in 2020. He criticized the previous neglect of border infrastructure, which he said has since been rectified to enable a stronger defense of national interests along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
The External Affairs Minister also highlighted deepened ties with the Gulf nations, ASEAN, and the Indo-Pacific region over the past 11 years. He discussed “Operation Sindoor”, India’s current initiative to evacuate its citizens from conflict-hit regions, and recalled “Operation Ganga” in Ukraine as the “most complex” evacuation due to wartime conditions.
Jaishankar addressed counter-terrorism and India’s perspective on Pakistan, stating that the Mumbai terror attacks were a “turning point” leading to a shift in approach under the Modi government. He cited the Uri surgical strike, the Balakot air strike, and Operation Sindoor as examples of a “new normal” where India will not tolerate impunity for terrorist actions.
The Union Minister further emphasized that counter-terrorism measures and the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir are part of a holistic strategic approach. He described Modi as a “leader of his times” who reflects the changing mood and self-confidence of the nation.
Jaishankar concluded by underscoring India’s commitment to a multipolar world, where it seeks to deepen its strategic posture, foster relationships with all major countries and regions, and maximize its influence.
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