Jaishankar: Modi Government Puts India’s Interests First in Global Engagement

New Delhi, August 12, 2023: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasized that India’s foreign policy under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is firmly rooted in safeguarding national interests while actively engaging with the world.

In an interview with Akashvani, Jaishankar highlighted the shift from the historic non-alignment era to a more assertive and national interest-driven approach in today’s global landscape.

Jaishankar acknowledged the historical significance of non-alignment as a reflection of India’s assertion of independence during times of limited capabilities. However, he noted that non-alignment sometimes led to India sacrificing its interests. He stated, “[It] was an era where our capabilities were limited and also where we did not always put our national interest first. Sometimes, we did not get the gains that we could have. But that is in the past.”

The minister underscored how the 1990s, marked by significant economic reforms, necessitated a recalibration of India’s foreign policy. This recalibration recognized the inextricable link between economic and diplomatic strategies.

Highlighting India’s current global role, Jaishankar highlighted the nation’s enhanced capabilities, self-assuredness, and belief in making a substantial global impact. He attributed this transformation to Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, his understanding of India’s international role, and his adeptness in leveraging technology.

Jaishankar remarked, “We are much more active, much more visible. We are shaping the big issues and ideas of our times. We are nationalistic and international at the same time. We are doing more with the world but we always do so with India’s interest at the core. Not like in the past where often we put India’s interest behind some other country because of some ideological reason.”

This perspective illuminates India’s dynamic role on the global stage, as the nation balances assertiveness with pragmatism, guided by the core principle of prioritizing its own interests.