Neighborly relations are the most difficult for every country in the world… What did Jaishankar say on India-Bangladesh relations

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that the relations between India and Bangladesh have not always been the same. he/she said that since the independence of Bangladesh in 1971, there have been ups and downs in the relations between the two countries. Jaishankar said this on the occasion of a book release on Friday. Jaishankar said that India will have to take care of the interests of both the countries while building its relations with Bangladesh. he/she said that for any country, its neighboring countries are always like an unsolved puzzle.

his/her comments came against the backdrop of unprecedented anti-government protests in Bangladesh that led to the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government and she arrived in India on August 5. Hasina’s presence in India for over three weeks has led to speculation in that country. Since August 8, an interim government with a team of advisers led by chief adviser Mohammad Yunus has been in place in Bangladesh. The book ‘Strategic Conundrum: Reshaping India’s Foreign Policy’, written by former Indian ambassador Rajiv Sikri, talks about the country’s relations with its neighbours and the challenges associated with it.

Jaishankar said he/she wanted to focus on the title of the book and the reason why the author presented it (the title) as a ‘puzzle’. he/she said, ‘And, I want you to reflect on that word ‘puzzle’… because, normally in the diplomatic world, it would be expressed as a relationship, as a scenario, as storylines, but ‘puzzle’ by definition is confusing, it is difficult, it is like a mystery, it can be a challenge. And, above all, it expresses a certain complexity.’

‘Neighbors are always a puzzle for every country in the world’

“And, I am very glad that they did that. As sometimes, when we debate foreign policy, we are prone to slipping into very black and white options. People tend to simplify it…,” the External Affairs Minister said. “Now, if we look at the puzzle, neighbours are always a puzzle for every country in the world because neighbourly relationships are the ‘most difficult’ for every country in the world,” the Union Minister said. “They can never be resolved. They are ongoing relationships which will always create problems,” he/she said.

What did Jaishankar say on Bangladesh?

Jaishankar said, ‘So, when people sometimes say this happened in Bangladesh, this happened in Maldives, I think they need to look globally. And, tell me, which country in the world does not have challenges and complexities related to its neighbors. I think being neighbors, it is natural that this will happen.’ On the issue of Bangladesh, the Foreign Minister said that there is a lot of interest in these relations for obvious reasons. he/she said, ‘With Bangladesh, since its independence, our relations have been up and down. It is natural that we adopt an attitude according to the stance of the current government.’

Political change is disruptive: Jaishankar

Jaishankar said, ‘But, we also have to recognize that political changes are taking place and political changes can be disruptive. Clearly we have to look at the mutuality of interests here.’ On India-Myanmar relations, he/she said Myanmar is ‘relevant and unrelated at the same time’. In his/her address, he/she also talked about regionalization and said, ‘The question before India is with whom and on what terms should we do regionalization.’ Jaishankar said, ‘The basic mantra to look at any puzzle should be where our national security is, what is the benefit or risk in that relationship. Does it help in the development of comprehensive national power and does it expand our freedom of choice.’ he/she said that second, there are major powers. he/she said, ‘Major powers will be a puzzle because they are prominent because of the breadth of their interests. They will always have an agenda, which will be in conflict with India, but will also be different at different levels.’

‘Unravelling the mysteries of foreign policy…’

Jaishankar said, “In the case of China, you have a ‘dual puzzle’, because it is a neighbour and a major power. Therefore, the challenges with China fit into this dual definition.” In his/her address, the Foreign Minister said, “India should become an uplifting power for the entire neighbourhood.” Jaishankar said that the book is “written for general experts, it is not a book written by the Ministry of External Affairs, for the Ministry of External Affairs”. he/she said, “I think it is very important today to unravel the mysteries of foreign policy. My own effort in the last few years has been to take foreign policy out of the Ministry of External Affairs and Delhi, and really try to start a larger conversation on it.”