'We Are Not Passive. We Will React In Positive And Negative': S Jaishankar On Pakistan

India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, referring to its neighboring country, said that India is not passive towards Pakistan and will react positively and negatively. Jaishankar was present at a book launch event at Vivekananda Internationa Foundation (VIF), New Delhi, on Friday.

While discussing the sections of the book ‘Strategic Conundrum’ written by Ambassador Rajiv Sikri, S Jaishankar mentioned India’s stand on contemporary India’s foreign policy towards Pakistan. ‘The era of uninterrupted dialogue is over. Article 370 is over”, he added.

Referring to India’s relation with contemporary Afghanistan, India’s external affairs minister said that India’s relation with the country had always remained cordial, however for India “Afghanistan without the presence of United States is different and Afghanistan with the presence of the United States is different”.

While referring to China, the external affairs minister applauded India’s achievements in maintaining and securing border peace in the last few years.

S. Jaishankar emphasised upon considering the interest of the other nations when it comes to dealing with them, he mentioned the ‘mutuality of interest’.

While talking about the book written by his fellow ambassador, S. Jaishankar said that at some points he agreed with the author but also disagreed with him at several points. The book talks about various contours of India’s foreign policy in different regions around the world including US and the west, West Asia, South Asia, South East Asia, Indo-Pacific, Russia And Others.

Ambassador Rajiv Sikri, Ambassador Kanwal Sibbal, Arvind Gupta, VIF Director and other dignitories were present at the book launch event.