India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, indirectly referred to India’s western neighbor as being in the midst of a crisis stemming from long-standing issues. Without explicitly naming Pakistan, Jaishankar hinted that the nation was grappling with multiple crises that had been building up over time.
He noted that different countries worldwide were contending with various crises, emphasizing the economic challenges faced by Sri Lanka. In this context, Jaishankar highlighted India’s significant bilateral lending assistance to Sri Lanka, aimed at helping the nation overcome its economic difficulties.
Turning his attention to the unnamed western neighbor, Jaishankar underscored that their problems were deeply rooted and had historical origins. He pointed out that these issues had arisen due to distortions introduced into the natural progression of the country’s economy. Factors such as excessive military expenditure, imprudent borrowing practices, and non-profitable infrastructure investments were among the reasons behind these challenges.
Jaishankar further suggested that these issues had culminated in a simultaneous crisis. He metaphorically described this situation as “multiple chickens coming home to roost at the same time,” illustrating the compounding challenges faced by the country.
Regarding the state of the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Jaishankar noted that it had been dormant since 2014, primarily due to the actions of one member nation. He refrained from explicitly naming Pakistan but alluded to it by mentioning that this member believed it could engage in terrorism without facing any consequences.
Despite SAARC’s current inactivity, Jaishankar emphasized that this was the exception rather than the rule. He highlighted India’s commitment to regional and global cooperation through various initiatives, both old and new, and suggested that the obstacles created by one member should not deter progress in the broader regional context.
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