Effective Communication Key to Understanding India's Intentions, Says External Affairs Minister

Importance of Dialogue in International Relations

On Friday, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized the necessity of effective communication with other nations to avoid misunderstandings regarding India's intentions.

Speaking at an interactive session with students at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, Jaishankar remarked, "The way to prevent people from misinterpreting you is through dialogue. When you communicate well, clearly, and honestly, other countries and individuals respect and accept that."

He further stated, "Many people around the world take pride in their culture, traditions, and heritage. I see no reason why we shouldn't do the same." Jaishankar highlighted that very few ancient civilizations exist today as prominent modern nation-states, and India is one of them. "We possess an understanding of our past that very few countries have... It was our decision to adopt a democratic political model that transformed the idea of democracy into a universal political concept," he added.

Jaishankar noted, "Had we not chosen this path, the ideals of democracy would have remained regional and narrow... Partnership with the West is also crucial, and in this way, we shape the world."

He explained that nations have progressed by developing domestically and then engaging internationally, utilizing the global environment to their advantage while also contributing to it.

Jaishankar remarked, "When we say 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,' it signifies that we have never viewed the world as a hostile or adverse place from which we need to defend ourselves. Our resources are limited. The challenge is how to maximize impact with limited resources. This is the very issue we need to address."

He concluded by stating, "Today, we are striving to solve this problem within Indian foreign policy and diplomacy. We aim to do this by leveraging our competitiveness and strengths while also taking advantage of other institutions and opportunities."