India can never permit others to have veto on its choices: Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said India can never permit others to have a veto on its choices and will do whatever is right in the national interest and for the global good without being intimidated to “conform”.

In a video message for a function in Mumbai, he said when India is etched more deeply in global consciousness, its repercussions are truly profound.

In a world grappling with unhealthy habits, stressed lifestyles or recurring climate events, there is much learning to be gained from India's heritage. But the world will only know when the countrymen take pride in it, he said.

In an age of globalisation, technology and tradition must march together, said Jaishankar.

“Bharat will inevitably progress but it must do so without losing its Bharatiyata. Only then can we truly emerge as a leading power in a multi-polar world,” he said.

Jaishankar was conferred the 27th SIES Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswati National Eminence Award. The awards are given in four fields – Public Leadership, Community Leadership, Human Endeavour, Science and Technology and Social Leadership – with primacy on spiritualism.

The awards are named after the late 68th Seer of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi.

The foreign minister did not attend the event but sent his video message.

“Independence should never be confused with neutrality. We will do whatever is right in our national interest and for global good without being intimidated to conform. Bharat can never permit others to have a veto on its choices,” he said.

“For too long we were schooled to visualise progress and modernity as a rejection of our heritage and traditions,” Jaishankar said.