Manipal, Aug 29: India’s foreign policy is geared around security and prosperity of its own people and of people in other countries across the world, according to M J Akbar, Union Minister of State for External Affairs.
The journalist turned politician was delivering a public lecture on “India’s foreign policy in the 21st Century” organised by the Department of Geopolitics and International Relations, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), here.
Mr. Akbar said that the country’s endeavour was to ensure that its interests did not create frictions that could rise. One of the basic principles of India’s relationship with China was its endeavour was never to let differences to become disputes or disputes to become conflicts. So far, with great maturity, both the countries had mutually managed to do so, he said.
Such challenges were being addressed because a nation’s strength was measured in two ways — by how far it had been able to create and ensured the well-being, welfare, harmony and peace of its own people. And, how far it had managed to translate these objectives, Mr. Akbar said.
He said that the Brookings Institute had put out an assessment that if the present policies of the Indian Government continued, then by 2022, people living below the poverty line in the country would be fewer than 3 %. This meant that the alleviation of poverty and the assertion of the strength of the country were visible now.
“The only thing that will prevent this horizon coming within our reach physically within our lifetimes is the relapse and collapse into instability,” Mr. Akbar said.
Pro Chancellor of MAHE H.S. Ballal welcomed the gathering. Head of the Department of Geopolitics and International Relations Arvind Kumar delivered the introductory remarks.
Vice-Chancellor of MAHE H. Vinod Bhat presented a memento to Mr. Akbar on the occasion. Assistant Professor Monish Torangbam compered the programme. Assistant Professor Nanda Kishore M.S. proposed a vote of thanks.
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