Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar Emphasizes Mutual Interest as Foundation for Successful Bilateral Relations
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Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized on Saturday that any bilateral relationship must pass the test of mutual interest to remain effective. Speaking at the Economic Times World Leaders Forum in New Delhi, Jaishankar addressed the current state of regional diplomacy, including ties with Bangladesh and Pakistan.
When asked about Dhaka’s requests regarding the return of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Jaishankar declined to provide a direct comment. He instead reiterated his broader diplomatic philosophy, stating that for a relationship to be functional, it must be mutually beneficial. He stressed that a partnership must serve the interests of all parties involved to be sustained.
Addressing India’s approach to its neighbors, the External Affairs Minister noted that he does not expect neighboring countries to act solely in India’s interest. He articulated a policy of balanced engagement, asserting that just as he expects neighbors to recognize and respect Indian interests, there must be a reasonable balance in India’s efforts to understand and respect their interests as well.
Jaishankar further remarked that healthy diplomatic relations thrive when a common ground or a foundation of consensus is established. He maintained that the core of any deep bilateral engagement lies in the alignment of mutual interests.
These comments come amid ongoing uncertainty regarding a potential visit to India by the interim government’s leadership in Bangladesh. While the timeline for such a visit remains unconfirmed, sources indicate that both nations are engaged in informal discussions to evaluate the feasibility of a high-level diplomatic meeting in the coming weeks.
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