Diplomacy not about neutrality: Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar emphasised on Friday that diplomacy is not about neutrality, asserting that neutral positions are taken only when a country is weak or lacks confidence.

Speaking to the Indian community in Dublin, Ireland, Jaishankar said, “Diplomacy is not about neutrality. That happens either when you’re too weak or less confident, or when, frankly, you don't care.”

He stressed that in today’s world, India has the confidence to act in its best interests while also contributing positively on the global stage. He further highlighted India’s trajectory of progress, stating, “We want the world to know this is a country where things are happening.”

Jaishankar described India as a nation recovering from two centuries of colonial rule. “How can we not have problems? But we are on the path of recovery,” he said.

Praising Ireland’s growth, Jaishankar, who previously served as India’s diplomat in the country, remarked, “What Ireland has achieved is noteworthy. From research to development and the economy, they have positioned themselves in a way that must be taken seriously.”

He also reflected on India’s national sentiment, describing it as one of confidence. “The mood in India today is very confident,” he said.

Discussing India’s rich history and its vision for the future, Jaishankar added, “The journey of a Viksit Bharat (developed India) is that of a 5,000-year-old civilisation; few such civilisations remain today.”