KATHMANDU: Indian Minister for External Affairs, S Jaishankar has dismissed claims that India is countering China’s influence in South Asian countries, including Nepal.
In a recent interview given to Germany-based Spiegel Online, Indian External Affairs Minister Jaishankar said India would be investing in Nepal, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka the way India has been doing today.
He said whatever Indian is doing today, it’s not doing to counter China’s influence.
“Take China away for a moment,” he said adding, “India would be still be investing in Nepal, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka the way we are doing today.”
Stating that South Asia is lacking regional awareness, he said India as the largest country in the region, shoulders the largest responsibility.
According to him, the more connected South Asia is, “the better it is for us too”.
He continued to say that there are already two rail connections between India and Nepal. “And in a few years, there will be five,” he added.
Nepal’s border, he said, towards India is open, towards China, not so much. “Many Nepalese come to India looking for work. How does one compare those things?” he asked.
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