“In a world mired with conflict, uncertainty and at times war, India is today recognised globally as a nation working for a common cause and in partnership with many nations,” External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said during a visit to Cuttack on Sunday.

Jaishankar said this while addressing a meeting on ‘Vishwa Bandhu Bharat’.

“We can partner with the US and Europe as well as Russia and African nations. Likewise, with Israel on one side as well as Gulf and Arab nations on another. These may be in conflict with each other, but we can partner with all nations on different subjects and issues to take our national interests further. And this is Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas,” Jaishankar said.

He said India is taking Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas to the international level. “India’s effort is how to bring Sabka Vikas with Sabka Saath and how there is Sabka Prayas (effort) and Sabka Viswas (belief).”      

He said a country that can deal with and establish partnerships with different countries for its national interests is called a Vishwa Bandhu.

“Nations want to share their technologies, forge partnerships and make the Vishwa Bandhu nation a part of the global supply chain. They look for a nation which is honest in this digital age,” he said.

“The more we forge relationships with other nations, the more assured we can be of a Viksit Bharat,” he said.

Jaishankar informed about three government projects in the pipeline to improve connectivity with the globe, including connecting India with Europe via UAE, that is, India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, International North-South Corridor via Iran and Russia, and reaching Vietnam and the Indo-Pacific via the Odisha coastline and North East region.  

Prior to the event, Jaishankar told the media that from a very young age he had the advantage of close association with people from Odisha and he found they were the most talented, educated and skilled. “They were the best in class,” he said and added that the whole country has very high expectation from Odisha given the talent and resources it has.  

Odisha is a state with a rich culture, tradition, heritage and some of the finest things in Indian history, said Jaishankar.

“Such a proud culture has surely the capacity to produce representatives and leaders in its own rights. And that is what we are saying the State should be led by someone who has come up from the grassroots here. Those are the right leaders and right future for the State,” he said.