Last 5 years have kept expectation of change alive: EAM Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that the last five years under the NDA government have kept alive the expectation of change in the country.

New Delhi: Speaking at his first public event at the national capital on Thursday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that the five years of the NDA government have strengthened the expectation of change in the country.

Speaking at an event organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Jaishankar said, "The five years of government has kept alive and perhaps even strengthened the expectation of change in the country."

Jaishankar further said a 'global rebalancing' is taking place and the 'sharpest manifestation' of that is the rise of China and to an extent, the rise of India as well.

The former foreign secretary took part in the event days after taking charge of the ministry, a rare instance of a career diplomat handling the key portfolio as a minister.

"A large majority of people in India recognised that India's stature in the world has risen in the last five years," Jaishankar said.

"The government looks different from outside than from inside," Jaishankar, who served as foreign secretary from 2015-18 said.

"We can build a closer region through regional connectivity projects," he added.

"If we want to propel economic growth, then there is greater responsibility for Indian foreign policy to focus on external aspect of it," the minister said.
There is big responsibility on the External Affairs Ministry to focus on project execution which has strategic significance, he added.

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