Mutual interest key to India-Bangladesh ties, says Jaishankar amid visit uncertainty
NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday said that for any bilateral relationship to thrive, it must serve the mutual interests of both nations. His remarks came amid uncertainty over the proposed visit of Bangladesh's Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to India.
"For any relationship to work, it has to meet the test of mutual interest. It has to work for them, it has to work for us. I'm not expecting neighbours to only do what is in my interest... when you get that common landing ground, relationships work smoothly," Jaishankar said at the ET World Leaders Forum.
The Ministry of External Affairs had earlier announced that India had invited Rahman for a bilateral visit. Jaishankar's comments reflect India's approach to managing ties with its neighbours while safeguarding its own strategic interests.
On Pakistan, Jaishankar reiterated India's longstanding position that dialogue and terrorism cannot coexist. He also noted that the government cannot remain indifferent to public opinion within the country when dealing with cross-border issues.
Turning to China, Jaishankar said that both New Delhi and Beijing have a shared interest in maintaining stability in their relationship. "India needs to do business with the entire world, including China," he asserted, adding that the ultimate purpose of engagement is to modernise India's economy and develop its capabilities.
His remarks come ahead of expected meetings between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the margins of the SCO and BRICS summits next month. While an official announcement is awaited, reports indicate that Xi may visit India for the BRICS summit on September 12-13, marking his first trip to the country since 2019.
Jaishankar also said India remains in touch with China regarding delays in business visas faced by Indian nationals. Recalling the difficult phase in bilateral ties from 2020 to 2024, he reiterated that the state of the border will determine the overall relationship. "Having said that, I think naturally, if assuming things are stable and the needle is more cooperative, obviously, we are both very big economies in many ways, we are markets to each other," he added.
The external affairs minister's statements come at a time when India is navigating complex geopolitical dynamics in its neighbourhood and beyond. His emphasis on mutual interest in ties with Bangladesh, the firm stance on Pakistan, and the pragmatic approach towards China highlight the balancing act involved in India's foreign policy.
Observers note that Jaishankar's remarks are significant given the evolving political situation in Bangladesh and the broader regional context. India has consistently stressed the importance of stable and cooperative relations with all its neighbours, while also asserting its own security and economic priorities.
