External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar discussed India's diplomatic relations with neighbouring countries, emphasising that Pakistan is an exception due to its ongoing support for cross-border terrorism. He also highlighted India's assistance to Sri Lanka and provided insights into the country's relations with Myanmar and Afghanistan. Jaishankar made these comments during the 19th Nani A. Palkhivala Memorial Lecture on Saturday.

Regarding the challenges facing India's neighbours, Jaishankar conveyed, "India's challenge has been to rebuild a neighbourhood in the aftermath of the partition. It is now doing so through a generous and non-reciprocal approach, funding and supporting energy, rail and road connectivity, expanding trade and investment and intensifying exchanges and contacts".

Quoting some instances from recent history, Jaishankar expressed, "In times of crisis, be it the pandemic or the economic meltdown, India has actually served as an insurance for its smaller neighbours. Sri Lanka discovered that in 2023 when India put together a package of more than $ 4 billion even while the rest of the world didn't. It is also a reality that political developments may throw up complex situations, as we are currently witnessing in Bangladesh. The very purpose of closer cooperation and contacts is actually to address such contingencies at the end of the day. It is the mutuality of interest that should be counted upon to prevail".

While speaking about Pakistan, Jaishankar commented, "Pakistan remains the exception in our neighbourhood in view of its support for cross-border terrorism and that cancer is now consuming its own body politic".

Talking about India's other two neighbouring countries, Myanmar and Afghanistan, Jaishankar stated, "We in India have long-standing people-to-people ties with both societies, and we must be mindful that those more proximate have stakes which are quite different from others far away".

Earlier in his speech, Jaishankar elaborated on the vast scope of Indian foreign policy and underscored the nation's approach to diplomacy over the past decade. Emphasising the challenges the world is facing due to "the weaponisation of market instruments and financial institutions", Jaishankar expressed, "The challenge for India is to undertake its rise in such unpredictable circumstances. To do that, it has to accelerate both its internal growth and modernisation as well as de-risk its external exposure. At home, that is best done through political stability, broad-based and inclusive growth and continuing reforms. It means more focus on manufacturing, food and health security as well as building deep strengths that would make us more competitive".

He also advocated for strategic autonomy, stressing the importance of India keeping pace with the development of critical and emerging technologies.  "India may be non-west, but its strategic interests ensure it is not anti-west", the EAM stated.