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External powers cannot dictate India's bilateral relationships, says Jaishankar
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India's ties with Russia face no veto or external interference, asserts minister
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Jaishankar expects a breakthrough in stalled US-India trade deal negotiations
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Saturday asserted that no external power can dictate the nation's bilateral relationships.
Speaking NDTV's CEO and Editor-In-Chief Rahul Kanwal at the HT Leadership Summit this morning, the Minister directly addressed concerns about potential complications in US-India relations following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent visit.
Addressing the geopolitical pressures on India’s ties with Russia, Jaishankar was unequivocal. "It's unreasonable for any country to have a veto on India's relations with another country," he said while speaking to NDTV's Rahul Kanwal.
The recent high-profile summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Putin was about "reimagining relationships," Jaishankar said. Asked if the high-level visit complicates India's ties with the US, "the minister said that he wouldn't go to the Western press for an objective assessment for a reading on Putin."
The Minister stressed that maintaining "cooperation with as many players as possible and have that freedom of choice to bolster its position in the world" is crucial for India.
Dr. Jaishankar insisted that India’s foreign policy is self-directed, "India must stand up for what is in its interest," he asserted, "adding that diplomacy is not about pleasing someone else."
Regarding the stalled trade deal with the US, he expressed confidence in a breakthrough. "There is no lack of communication with the US, he said, asserting that a trade deal with Washington could become a reality soon. 'Trade is the most important issue with the US. It is central to the thinking in Washington. We are prepared to meet it on reasonable terms,' the foreign minister added."
Jaishankar concluded by saying, "We believe there can be a landing point for our respective trade interests. It is something that will be negotiated hard. For us, the interest of the workers and the farmers and the middle class matters. When we look at the trade agreements with the US, we must be judicious."
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