EAM Jaishankar’s full speech | India-China truce, attack on minorities in Bangladesh, | Lok Sabha

Summary

In this detailed speech, a government minister addresses India's foreign policy and relations with neighboring countries, emphasizing the importance of diplomatic engagements despite challenges. Key topics include India's efforts to maintain strong ties with Nepal, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, along with addressing border security issues with China and Myanmar. The minister underscores India's commitment to development projects in neighboring countries and stresses the need for reciprocal efforts from neighbors, especially in combatting terrorism and safeguarding minorities. The speech reflects India's strategic focus on securing borders while fostering cooperative, peaceful relations in the region.

Takeaways

• 😀 India values bilateral visits with its neighbors, acknowledging their importance for fostering good relations, but these visits depend on timing, convenience, and agendas of both sides.
• 😀 Despite historical gaps in visits, such as a 17-year hiatus between India and Nepal, Prime Minister Modi's recent visit to Nepal indicates a renewed focus on strengthening ties.
• 😀 India is actively engaging with the Maldives through development projects, including the Addu Link Road and provision of water and sewage facilities to 28 islands.
• 😀 The speaker emphasizes that India's foreign policy is not partisan, even if political motives are sometimes used to critique the government's approach to foreign relations.
• 😀 Regarding China, the speaker assures that Indian security forces now have access to previously inaccessible patrolling points along the India-China border after recent disengagement agreements.
• 😀 India’s border strategy with Myanmar is being adjusted due to instability there, with increased focus on securing the border and addressing cross-border challenges, despite limited Myanmar government authority.
• 😀 India’s position on Pakistan remains clear: it desires good relations but insists that Pakistan must demonstrate a change in behavior regarding terrorism for ties to improve.
• 😀 Trade disruptions with Pakistan in 2019 were due to decisions made by the Pakistani government, with India maintaining a neutral stance on trade issues while prioritizing security concerns.
• 😀 Nepal’s printing of Indian territories on their currency is not altering India's stance on its territorial integrity, which remains firm despite such actions from neighboring countries.
• 😀 India is committed to ensuring the safety of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh, expressing concern over attacks on them and hoping that the Bangladesh government will take measures to protect these communities.
• 😀 India's development projects in Bangladesh are seen as an opportunity to stabilize relations, with India hoping that the new political leadership in Bangladesh will facilitate stronger and more mutually beneficial ties.

Q & A

What is the significance of Prime Minister Modi's visit to Nepal, according to the speaker?

The speaker highlights that before Prime Minister Modi's visit, there had been no visits from India to Nepal for 17 years. The speaker emphasizes that such visits are significant for improving bilateral relations and that visits are subject to the convenience and timing of both parties.

How does the speaker defend India's foreign policy regarding its neighbors?

The speaker defends India's foreign policy by pointing out that, despite ups and downs in relationships, India has been consistent in its approach to development and cooperation with neighboring countries. The speaker emphasizes India's projects and trade with neighbors like the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, countering claims that India's foreign policy is being criticized for political purposes.

What role did India play in the development of the Maldives, according to the transcript?

India played a significant role in the development of the Maldives by inaugurating the Addu Link Road and funding a project that provided water and sewage facilities to 28 islands. The President of the Maldives attended the inauguration, underscoring the strong bilateral cooperation.

What is India's stance on the situation in the Maldives in 2012, as mentioned by the speaker?

The speaker refers to an incident in 2012 when Indian companies were driven out of the Maldives for an important project. This highlights the challenges India faced in the region, but the speaker contrasts this with current cooperation and projects between the two nations.

What did the speaker say about the disengagement agreements between India and China in 2023?

The speaker confirmed that India has reached disengagement agreements with China, particularly concerning the Depsang and Gogra areas, where Indian security forces are now able to access previously restricted patrolling points. The speaker assured that India's historical patrolling limits have been restored, and emphasized that the disengagement does not validate China's 1959 claim line.

How does India approach its relationship with Pakistan, according to the minister?

India's approach to Pakistan is guided by the principle of having good relations, free of terrorism. The government has made it clear that it is for Pakistan to demonstrate a change in behavior if they wish to improve ties. The speaker suggests that the ball is in Pakistan's court regarding this matter.

What steps has India taken to address concerns regarding cross-border terrorism from Myanmar?

Due to the unstable situation in Myanmar, India has reviewed its open border policy. The government is working on securing its borders by increasing surveillance and presence in the area, even though the lack of a strong central government in Myanmar complicates these efforts.

How does India address the issue of minorities in Bangladesh?

The speaker acknowledges concerns regarding the treatment of minorities in Bangladesh, including attacks on Hindus and temples. India has raised these concerns with Bangladesh, and the Foreign Secretary's recent visit to Dhaka highlighted this issue. India hopes that Bangladesh will take measures to ensure the safety of its minorities.

What does India think about the Nepal currency issue mentioned by the speaker?

India's position on its borders and territorial claims is very clear. The speaker mentions that Nepal's inclusion of Indian territories on its currency does not change India's stance on its borders. The government maintains that it will not change its position in response to such actions by its neighbors.

What challenges does India face in controlling the drug trade from Myanmar?

The speaker discusses the challenges posed by Myanmar's unstable political environment, which complicates efforts to prevent drug trafficking across the border. While India is working to secure its borders and monitor the movement of people, the lack of strong governance in Myanmar makes this task more difficult.