Bharat can never permit others to have a veto on its choices: Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday reiterated India can "never" permit others to have a veto on its choices. Addressing a function in Mumbai virtually, Mr Jaishankar also said "Bharat" - a Sanskrit word that refers to India - will do whatever is right in the national interest and for the global good without being intimidated to "conform".

"Independence should never be confused with neutrality. We will do whatever is right in our national interest and for global good without being intimidated to conform. Bharat can never permit others to have a veto on its choices," he said in his 10-minute video message.

"For too long we were schooled to visualise progress and modernity as a rejection of our heritage and traditions," he added.