New Delhi: Acknowledging the “very invaluable” relationship with the US for strategic and economic purposes, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasised the US’s “indispensability” to India’s pursuit of multipolarity on Friday. He stressed that while the India-US relationship has historically faced challenges, the current global context demands a different approach, with both sides recognising the evolving dynamics. “Therefore, I would actually argue that the US is today indispensable for our multipolarity to go up, that if we need that decision-making space, that freedom, we need countries whose interest is that we have those margins on our side.”
“The reality of the world today is something very different. That if we look at where the pressures are, the primary sources of pressure, it is no longer the US. In a way, because the world has changed, our understanding of the US has changed…The US understands us too,” he said at an event to mark the release of the book “Strategic Conundrums: Reshaping India’s foreign policy” by former ambassador Rajiv Sikri.
Regarding India’s engagement with Russia, Jaishankar highlighted the economic complementarity between the two nations, asserting that India should not be “intimidated” from pursuing mutually beneficial trade relations, despite international pressures. He cited the five-fold increase in India-Russia trade since 2022 as evidence of this burgeoning economic partnership. “It’s a core strategic requirement for us. But I would also say if you look at trade with Russia, which has gone up five times, and it’s not just a simple oil issue, I would urge you to look at it much more deeply, that there is an economic complementarity between India and Russia,” he said.
“And we should not be intimidated from pursuing the advantages of that complementarity,” he added.
In his address, the External Affairs Minister highlighted India’s multifaceted relationships with key players, asserting the nation’s independence in forging partnerships that serve its national goals.
In addressing India’s long-standing concerns with Pakistan, Jaishankar declared the “era of uninterrupted dialogue” over, citing the abrogation of Article 370 and India’s unwavering stance against cross-border terrorism. He underscored that “actions have consequences” and India will not passively accept any negative actions from Pakistan.
Jaishankar also addressed the tense situation with China, acknowledging the ongoing military standoff on the LAC. He outlined India’s efforts to bolster its border infrastructure, emphasizing the importance of a strong defense posture for maintaining peace and tranquility in the region.