Bhubaneswar: Praising Prime minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Make in India’ campaign and the recent stand against Pakistan, former secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Vivek Katju said it is the need of the hour India should nurture good relations with its neighbours.
Katju, who addressed at the 14th Nalco foundation day lecture on ‘Foreign Policy: Challenges and Prospects’ here, lauded the Indian Coast Guard personnel for their act of bravery in chasing a suspicious terror boat off the Gujarat coast on New Year’s Eve.
“Friendship is something which can happen between two individuals, but not between states or countries, as national interests should be given priorities,” said Katju.
Speaking on India’s diplomatic relations with China, he said, “China should show greater interest and more concern about Indians if they expect the same from us.”
While delivering the key note speech, the ex-diplomat strongly condemned Taliban’s attack on an Army school in Peshawar last month, in which nearly 130 innocent children were killed.
Ansuman Das, chairman-cum-managing director (CMD), Nalco and SC Padhy, director (HR), were present on the occasion.