'Except For Pakistan And China...': Jaishankar Says India's Relationship With Neighbouring Nations 'Much Better'

EAM Jaishankar highlighted that there may be forces in the neighbourhood and 'forces behind forces' who create problems. 

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said on Thursday that India's relationship with neighbouring countries except Pakistan and China has been much better, and that has been the case for a long time. The EAM, however, also highlighted that there may be forces in the neighbourhood and 'forces behind forces' who create problems. 

Further elaborating on India's relationship with neighbouring countries, Jaishankar said, "If we talk about neighbours, please go to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka and ask people what they think. During their deepest economic trouble, who stood by? Go to Nepal and ask them."

"We have challenging relationships with China. But, this is the Country that is confident and capable of advancing and defending its interests....I won't agree that our neighbourhood is not in our favour. There may be forces in the neighbourhood and 'forces behind forces' who create problems, there may be people in India who like to play out this problem. But, Our relationship with neighbouring countries except Pakistan and China has been much better than it has been for a long time," the EAM said.

The EAM said there might be forces in the neighbourhood who create problems and there might be people in India who like to play out these problems.

"So, as far as we are concerned, I think we have right now a very abnormal relationship with China, and we have with Pakistan-- you all know what the status of our current relationship is. But barring these two, I think our relationship with neighbours is in fact much better than what it has been for a long time," Jaishankar said, as quoted by PTI.