After a gap of two years, India will host the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas next year, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said here on Wednesday adding Kashi has been designated as the first SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) cultural and tourist capital for 2022-23.
Outlining some of the major international events lined up in the near future including the G-20 summit while making a statement in the Rajya Sabha on 'Latest Developments in India's Foreign Policy,' he also said Kashi’s selection “would facilitate showcasing of our age-old knowledge inheritance and cultural heritage."
On hosting the 17th Pravasi Bhartiya, the minister said it will be held in Indore from 8-10 January 2023. President of Guyana Irfaan Ali will be the chief guest of the Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas.
On criticism for buying oil from Russia during the ongoing Ukraine conflict, Jaishankar said the government does not ask Indian companies to buy oil from Russia but it is a sensible policy to get the best deal in the interest of Indian people.
Highlighting some of the key features of India’s foreign policy, Jaishankar said today it is no longer just an exercise of a ministry or even simply that of the government, it has a direct impact on daily lives of all Indians. “Our endeavour is that the welfare of the Indian people is ensured however challenging the situation,” he said. He also said Indian foreign policy is to serve the Indian people and “We will do whatever it takes to discharge that responsibility.”
On the situation on the border in Ladakh for the last two years since the first face-off took place between the armies of India and China, Jaishankar said “Diplomatically, we're clear with Chinese we won't tolerate attempts to unilaterally change Line of Actual Control(LAC). If they continue to do that and built up forces which constitute serious concerns in border area then our relationship isn't normal and that abnormality is evident in last few years.”