Pandavas could not choose their relatives, we cannot choose our neighbours: EAM Jaishankar in Pakistan

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday said that just as the Pandavas could not choose their relatives, India cannot choose its geographical neighbours." For us, the reality is... Pandavas could not choose relatives, we cannot choose our neighbours. Of course, we hope that reason will prevail," EAM Jaishankar said when asked if "a neighbor and a fake nation (Pakistan) which happens to be nuclear atom. power is an asset or a liability." Jaishankar published his English book "The India Way: Strategies for an Uncertain World" which was translated into Marathi as "Bharat Marg" in Pune. The Marathi version of Jaishankar's book was released by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Asked about the economic situation in Pakistan, Jaishankar said he could not comment on the events in Pakistan. The World Bank has halved Pakistan's economic growth from 4 percent to 2 percent this fiscal year, saying Islamabad is facing increasing financial difficulties, The News International reports. emergency.." In all regions, living standards will improve more slowly than between 2010 and 2019 in the half decade to 2024," says the World Bank's Global Economic Outlook report.

Pakistan's economic situation is precarious, with low foreign reserves and high fiscal policy. The current account deficit was aggravated by a severe flood. About a third of the country's mass, damaging infrastructure and directly affecting about 15 percent of the population, informs The News International. In addition, foreign reserves are low. and sovereign risk increases Pakistan's currency has weakened 14 percent in June-December and the sovereign risk premium rose by 15 percentage points during the same period. The Pakistan Democracy Movement (PDM) led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's government has agreed to meet all the conditions of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to proceed quickly with the following revision. Sharif said on January 24 that Pakistan's ruling PDM coalition was ready to sacrifice "his political career for the good of the country"., agreeing to the IMF's "stringent" conditions to revive the loan program.

Reports indicate that more than 9,000 containers are stuck at various seaports in Pakistan, threatening to disrupt supply chains of essential goods. National inflation rose to nearly 30 percent. The country's resources are low and food prices are rising. According to Islam Khabar, importers are unable to empty containers due to a lack of dollars, while shipping companies are threatening to suspend operations in Pakistan due to the country's failure to make payments on time. This has a negative impact on both imports and exports. The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has only $4.4 billion in foreign reserves, barely enough for three weeks' worth of imports, while container emptying needs and expected requests to open more mail have put credit at $1.5-2 billion of dollars, according to a report. in Islam Khabar. Pakistani companies are at risk of closure due to supply chain disruptions as domestic products depend on imported raw materials.

The textile industry of Pakistan is also in a critical situation as it is losing its credibility and market share among international buyers. The country's hospitals are running out of medicine, and goods such as wheat, fertilizers and petrol may soon be in short supply. Prime Minister Sharif therefore asked people to conserve natural resources such as water, gas and electricity to help the government reduce its import bill, which has risen significantly in recent years. Jaishankar also said that the Indus Water Treaty was a technical issue and further action would depend on discussions between the Indus Commissioners of India and Pakistan. "It is a technical matter, the Indus Commissioners of both countries are talking about the Indus Water Treaty. We can discuss our future course of action only after that," he said. India notified Pakistan to modify the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in September 1960 after Islamabad's actions violated the provisions of the treaty.

The notification was communicated on 25 January under Article XII Clause 3 of the Agreement through the relevant Indus Waters Commissioners. inland water transport. The purpose of the Amendment Notice is to allow Pakistan to enter into intergovernmental negotiations within 90 days to repair the fundamental breakdown of inland waterway transport.

This process would also modernize inland waterway transport to incorporate lessons learned over the past 62 years. India has always been a responsible partner in implementing IWT. However, Pakistan's actions violated IWT rules and their enforcement, forcing India to issue a proper notification to amend IWT. Jaishankar pointed to major changes in India's foreign policy and said the country's influence had gone beyond. From the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. Speaking at the launch of Bharat Marg, a book written by Jaishankar, he said, "Today India's influence has extended beyond the Indian Ocean to the Pacific, that is why I am talking about history, great countries always think only of themselves. It is a flaw in their DNA."