Deeply Invested in India-Maldives Relationship: EAM Jaishankar

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday highlighted the significance and nature of ties between India and Maldives, saying "It is a relationship in which we are very deeply invested."

While speaking at a book launch event in Delhi, S Jaishankar said that India's approach to Maldives have been inconsistent.

The External Affairs Minister said, "There have been ups and downs in our approach to Maldives...There is a certain lack of consistency here."

Underlining how India's ties with Maldives helps it to deal during uncertainties in terms of economic challenges, the EAM added," It is a relationship in which we are very deeply invested and there is a recognition in the Maldives that this relationship is a steady force when they are getting into choppy waters where their own prospects are concerned as far as economic challenges."

EAM on Pakistan

The EAM also spoke about about India's relations with Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan during the event.

While speaking about India-Pakistan relationship, he said, “The era of uninterrupted dialogue with Pakistan is over. Actions have consequences." Highlighting the kind of relationship India wants to have with Pakistan, S Jaishankar said, "So, the issue is what kind of relationship we can contemplate with Pakistan... What I do want to say is that we are not passive, and whether events take a positive or a negative direction, either way, we will react..."

S Jaishankar on India-Afghanistan Ties

On India's relationship with Bangladesh amid the ongoing violence and drastic political changes in the country, S Jaishankar has said, “It is natural we will deal with the government of the day. We have to recognise that there have been political changes and they can be disruptive. Clearly, here we have to look for mutuality of interest…”

(This is a developing story. It will be updated.)