Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday emphasised the importance of clear and honest communication with other countries to prevent misinterpretation of India’s intentions on the global stage.
Participating in a fireside chat with students at IIT Madras, Jaishankar said effective communication fosters respect and acceptance among nations. “How to prevent people from misreading you is to communicate. If you communicate well, clearly and honestly, other countries and other people respect it and accept it,” he said.
Highlighting India’s civilisational legacy, the minister said there are very few ancient civilizations that have endured to become major modern nation-states, and India is one of them. He said India has a strong sense of its past and culture, which should be a source of pride.
Jaishankar noted that India’s decision to adopt a democratic political model had global significance. “It was our decision to opt for a democratic political model, which made the very idea of democracy a universal political concept. Had we not gone that way, democracy as we know it would have remained regional and narrow,” he said.
Stressing the importance of global partnerships, he said cooperation with the West is crucial in shaping the world order. He added that nations progress by strengthening themselves domestically and then engaging internationally in ways that both contribute to and benefit from the global environment.
Referring to the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, Jaishankar said India has never viewed the world as a hostile place. He pointed out that with limited resources, the challenge for India is to maximise its global impact.
“What we try to do in Indian foreign policy and diplomacy today is solve that problem by using our competitiveness and strengths, and by leveraging international institutions and opportunities,” the minister said.
