Dhaka (Bangladesh): In a veiled dig at China, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Friday that when nations disregard the legal obligations or violate longstanding agreements, the damage to trust and confidence is immense.
“When nations disregard the legal obligations or violate long-standing agreements. As we have seen, the damage to trust and confidence is immense,” he said, apparently referring to China’s violation of border pacts with India.
However, he reiterated India’s commitment to the well-being of Indian Ocean countries.
Addressing the 6th Indian Ocean Conference in Dhaka, MR Jaishankar said, “Reiterating India’s commitment to the well-being and progress of all nations of the Indian Ocean. We have dedicated bodies like the Indian Ocean Rim Association or the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium, with their specific mandates.”
Dr. S Jaishankar speaking at the inaugural session of the 6th Indian Ocean Conference in #Dhaka , #Bangladesh .#Live #IOC2023 #IOCDHAKA https://t.co/81Hdq1CE3H
— Dr. Shahid Siddiqui (@shahidsiddiqui) May 12, 2023
He also stated that India had expanded on that belief through the Neighbourhood First policy, the SAGAR outlook and our approach to the extended neighbourhood. India also believed that a seamless transition into an Indo-Pacific is to the collective advantage.
“This is a gathering of like-minded to have an open and fruitful discussion on various dimensions of our cooperation. I wish the deliberation all success,” Mr Jaishankar added.
At the event, Mr Jaishankar praised Bangladesh for releasing its Indo-Pacific outlook and joining a number of countries in articulating its thinking on the subject. Indo-Pacific is a reality and statement of contemporary globalisation, he added.
EAM also stated UNCLOS should be respected and termed Bangladesh a “successful developing economy.”
-Dr. M Shahid Siddiqui (PhD), Follow via Twitter @shahidsiddiqui
