External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has assured Members of Parliament that India is safeguarding its interests in its neighbourhood.<br />'' <br />'' The Minister was briefing members of the Consultative Committee on External Affairs in New Delhi yesterday.<br />'' <br />'' In a tweet, Dr. Jaishankar described the briefing as an animated discussion on the neighbourhood and beyond and said that he has shared his thinking and assessment on contemporary issues.<br />'' <br />'' Biju Janata Dal MP Sasmit Patra, a member of the committee, said interactions were very meaningful, insightful and intense.<br />'' <br />'' BJP MP GVL Narasimha Rao praised Dr. Jaishankar, saying that as an accomplished diplomat and a hugely successful minister, he fielded questions of all members with immaculate finesse, clarity and vision.<br />'' <br />'' Congress leader and former Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor described the meeting as lively.<br />'' <br />'' Besides Dr. Jaishankar, top officials of the Ministry including Foreign Secretary VK Gokhale and his successor Harsh Vardhan Shringla were present at the meeting.<br />''