External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told students at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras that India has an unquestionable right to protect its citizens from hostile activity originating across its borders. Speaking without naming any country, he said New Delhi would act as necessary against what he called “bad neighbours” who persist with terrorism.
India neighbourhood policy
Jaishankar contrasted India’s approach to countries that cooperate and those that do not. With what he described as good neighbours, India invests, shares and assists. He cited the supply of vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic, fuel and food support when global energy and food markets were strained after the Ukraine conflict, and the USD 4 billion assistance package provided to Sri Lanka during its financial crisis.
At IIT Madras the minister stressed that security concerns and regional cooperation are not mutually exclusive. “India’s growth is a lifting tide for the region, and most of our neighbours recognise that if India grows, they grow with us,” he said. However, he added that a country cannot reasonably demand resources such as water from India while also supporting terrorism on Indian soil.
Jaishankar said the key to preventing misreading of India’s intentions is clear and honest communication. He urged diplomats and policymakers to explain aims plainly so other countries can respect and respond to them appropriately. He also reflected on India’s civilisational continuity and democratic choice, arguing that the country’s history strengthens its modern international engagement.
The minister was in Bangladesh recently to represent India at the funeral of former prime minister Khaleda Zia, a visit he cited as part of a pragmatic, common-sense neighbourhood policy. He described India’s regional strategy as one that leverages domestic strengths while engaging outwardly to secure maximum impact from limited resources.
During the event Jaishankar launched the IITM Global Research Foundation, an initiative intended to position the institute as a global hub for education, research, innovation and entrepreneurship. He said countries typically advance by consolidating growth at home then engaging abroad in ways that magnify domestic progress.
Observers say Jaishankar’s remarks echo a long-standing theme in Indian foreign policy: a combination of practical assistance to friendly states and a firm stance against actors who threaten India’s security. The balance he described is likely to inform New Delhi’s diplomatic and strategic choices in the coming months as it deepens ties across the region while addressing cross-border security challenges.
Key Takeaways:
- External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar says India has every right to defend its people against neighbours that sponsor terrorism.
- Jaishankar highlights India’s aid to neighbouring states, including vaccines during COVID-19 and USD 4 billion to Sri Lanka.
- India emphasises clear communication and engagement as part of its India neighbourhood policy.
