Friendship not at cost of national security: Parrikar

India wants good relations with all neighbouring countries, but not at the cost of national security, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said on Monday.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made efforts to maintain relations with the neighbouring countries and people criticised him for it,” he said in a veiled reference to Pakistan.

“We would welcome good relations with any neighbours and being friendly helps, but it cannot be at the cost of national security,” Parrikar said at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai after commissioning INS Chennai, the third of the Kolkata-class guided missile destroyer.

On his arrival, Parrikar was received by Admiral Sunil Lanba, chief of the naval staff.