External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that present India is already very different from the India of his youth.
It is an India which is capable of looking at challenges and finding solutions, of doing things in India with Indian talent and capabilities in a manner that we couldn’t have imagined earlier, he said.
On Indo-China border issues, the EAM said we would like to resolve it on terms that are fair, equitable, mutually agreed upon and do justice to our claims.
We can’t resolve it by having one country saying that this is the solution and for us to accept it, he added.
Earlier today, the EAM said that India has been providing assistance to Sri Lanka and is monitoring the developments in the island nation adding that there is no refugee crisis now.
“We have been supportive of Sri Lanka, are trying to help, and have always been helpful. They are working through their problem, we will see what happens. There is no refugee crisis right now,” said Jaishankar upon his arrival in Kerala as part of intensifying the BJP’s efforts to make gains in South India.
Jaishankar’s comments reflect how India continues to stand by its neighbours amid difficult times. His remarks particularly hold more importance as Sri Lanka faces an unprecedented political and economic crisis.
Under the ‘neighbourhood first policy’, India has responded with urgency to the government of Sri Lanka’s request for assistance in overcoming hardships and will enhance economic linkages between the two countries be it through infrastructure connectivity and renewable energy.
India is becoming a stronger and more mutually beneficial partner to Sri Lanka, he said.
Apart from assistance during the pandemic and fertilizer chaos, India is also donating basic products to the island nation, the EAM said.
Sri Lanka has been suffering a diesel shortage since February, which led to hours of daily power cuts. Presently, Sri Lanka is struggling with acute food and electricity shortages, forcing the country to seek help from its neighbours.
The recession is attributed to foreign exchange shortages caused by a clampdown on tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic. The country is unable to buy sufficient fuel and gas, while the people are being deprived of basic amenities as well.
