Jaishankar Highlights India’s Evolving Foreign Policy, Emphasizes ‘Neighbourhood First’ Approach

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, during an interactive session at Delhi University’s Hansraj College, discussed the changing dynamics of global diplomacy and India’s response to these shifts. He underscored that while competition between countries is inevitable, India should not fear it but instead, prepare strategically to face challenges.

“Governments change and we must plan accordingly. We need to ensure that our neighboring countries stay aligned with us for stability, but also be ready for the reality that some may take actions against us. We must address this proactively with proper planning, not reactively,” Jaishankar explained.

He reaffirmed India’s foreign policy priority, stating that it is firmly based on the ‘Neighbourhood First’ strategy, which advocates for strengthening diplomatic ties while prioritizing national interests.

India-US Relations and Trump’s Influence
Discussing India-US relations, Jaishankar emphasized the strong bilateral ties between the two nations, referring to US President Donald Trump as an “American nationalist.”

In response to questions on whether Trump is a friend or foe to India, Jaishankar stated, “I believe he is an American nationalist” and acknowledged that his policies could bring significant changes to global affairs. Despite potential differences, Jaishankar was confident that India’s foreign policy would continue to be shaped by its own national interests.

“There may be issues where we differ, but many areas will align with our interests,” he added, highlighting the strong personal relationship between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Trump as an important factor in strengthening ties between the two countries.

Jaishankar’s remarks reflect India’s evolving stance in the global arena, focusing on proactive diplomacy and maintaining strong international relations while safeguarding its strategic interests.