Hyderabad: Union External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar has claimed that ‘Modi’s Guarantee’ goes beyond the borders of India and has global significance.
Dr. Jaishankar was addressing a talk on the topic ‘India’s Foreign Policy: From Doubt to Confidence’ organized by the Forum for Nationalist Thinkers, Hyderabad Chapter. He compared Lord Hanuman as a diplomatic role model and underlined the importance of keeping national interest at the forefront of foreign policy decisions while emphasizing India’s commitment to the welfare and security of its citizens.
In global affairs, Dr Jaishankar mentioned examples where India supported countries in times of crisis, including in the Pacific and Caribbean regions. He stressed the moral dimension of India’s foreign policy by advocating inclusivity and solidarity with countries facing challenges and highlighted China as a long-term concern in the context of historical challenges. He stressed the need for strategic clarity as well as the importance of prioritizing national interests in diplomatic engagements.
Dr. Jaishankar advocated an ‘India first’ approach in foreign policy, stressing the imperative to protect national security and interests while engaging with the global community. He discussed India’s engagement with the United Nations on the Kashmir issue, keeping in mind the pragmatic stance of leaders like Sardar Patel. He stressed the importance of protecting national interests without undue influence of external decisions. On the abrogation of Article 370, he said that India has corrected a historical mistake of 1947.
The External Affairs Minister stressed the need to prioritize national interests over international pressures, particularly with regard to Kashmir and Pakistan, as well as the importance of fostering strong ties for national development and economic growth. Emphasizing the role of self-confidence in initiatives like ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, Dr. Jaishankar said that these are not just economic strategies but expressions of self-confidence.
Telangana Pradesh BJP President and Union Minister for Tourism, Culture and Development of North Eastern Region G Kishan Reddy, founder member of Loksatta Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan, former MLC N Ramachander Rao and other dignitaries were present in the program.
