Realism Over Idealism
India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, has emphasized that relations with neighbouring countries will not always be smooth. Speaking pragmatically, he cautioned against expecting uninterrupted harmony and highlighted that, while New Delhi strives to create collective stability across regimes, geopolitical realities often complicate ties. His comments reflect a mature acceptance of diplomatic volatility in the region.
A Shared Logic of Collective Interest
Jaishankar highlighted a consistent message in India’s diplomacy: engaging with India must be seen as beneficial, while non-engagement incurs an implicit cost. He did not specify what those costs might entail but underscored that virtually all neighbours, except Pakistan, must recognise this logic. Those embracing cooperation stand to gain economically, strategically, and in development, whereas those who resist may face consequences.
Pakistan: A Unique Exception
The minister noted that Pakistan remains an exception to this strategy. According to Jaishankar, Pakistan’s identity is heavily shaped by its military establishment, fostering an inherent hostility toward India. As a result, expecting the same calculus to apply there would be unrealistic. In contrast, countries like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar have shown greater responsiveness to India’s outreach under its “Neighbourhood First” policy.
Building Regional Stability Through Tangibles
Jaishankar credited India’s consultative, outcome-oriented approach for fostering regional resilience. Examples include infrastructure investments – roads, railways, power lines, as well as credit lines, grants, and humanitarian assistance extended to its neighbours. These initiatives aim to concretely demonstrate India’s value as a partner, strengthening the incentive to cooperate through tangible benefits.
Embracing Competition, Not Fear
Addressing the influence of external powers, particularly China, Jaishankar stated that India welcomes competitive engagement on its periphery. He asserted there is no need to fear Chinese influence, describing global politics as inherently competitive. Rather than view China’s presence as a failure, India should persist in its diplomatic and economic efforts and rely on intrinsic strengths to stay relevant and influential.
Partnering Beyond the Region
Jaishankar connected regional unpredictability with India’s evolving global partnerships. He has described relationships with the UK, EU, and ASEAN not only as strategic chess pieces but also as stabilising influences in an unpredictable world. Between the EU and India, increased defence, security, and technology collaboration underline mutual benefits. In West Asia, closer engagement is seen as essential given geopolitical flux. These broader ties help cushion India against regional shocks.
Unshackled Diplomatic Posture
Highlighting a departure from rigid alliance systems, Jaishankar pointed out that India’s strategic autonomy, freedom from binding pacts allows it to navigate global uncertainties with equanimity. He contrasted this with Europe’s dependency on alliance structures, asserting that India’s independent posture offers a flexible advantage amid shifting global dynamics.
Pragmatic Messaging Across Capitals
During his visit to Europe, Jaishankar emphasized that India’s foreign policy centres on national interest, not personal relations. He urged Western nations to treat terrorism with seriousness, warning that neglecting cross-border threats could eventually harm them. This intervention was aimed at recalibrating the narrative, especially concerning Pakistan‑linked terrorism and broader security concerns.
Diplomacy Beyond Idealism
Jaishankar repeatedly underscored that diplomacy thrives on an intersection of interests not shared ideology or sentiment alone. Borrowing from ancient statecraft, he framed India’s global posture as akin to Vishwamitra: forming relationships on strategic interests rather than emotional allegiance. In this multi-polar world, friendships are flexible, sometimes hedged, and require constant effort.
Facing the Complex Neighbourhood
He pointed out that neighbours have their own domestic political pressures, instability, leadership shifts, electoral unpredictability that inherently affect bilateral ties. India’s ability to handle these fluctuations with maturity, without politicizing or point-scoring, remains vital to sustaining long-term cooperation.
Rebuilding Post-Partition Ties
Reflecting on the historical backdrop of the partition, Jaishankar acknowledged that India continues to rebuild its neighbourhood through non-reciprocal gestures – investment, infrastructure, diplomacy, defining a foreign policy model rooted in generosity and pragmatic nation‑building.
Final Word: The Logic of Cooperation
Jaishankar’s message is clear and pointed: cooperation with India yields tangible benefits; disengagement comes with a cost. This logic, applied consistently across nearly all neighbours, balances realism and aspiration, positioning India as both benevolent partner and strategic actor. In a world defined by volatility, this approach offers the strongest hope for regional and global stability.
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