New Delhi, Dec. 27 -- Economist and Historian Sanjeev Sanyal on Saturday said that countries, especially in West Asia, may like to be part of India's growth story if they plan to sell energy and arms, since the country remains a growing economy.

He also said that standing up for India's interests doesn't mean one has to "become jingoistic".

However, he said, things aren't black and white since the countries deal in a world of "frenemies". Sanyal said that on some issues, other countries would act as friends, whereas they might not on other issues.

"I don't think you should think of it as black and white. On certain issues, they may like it (to be part of India's growth story) if they want to sell you energy. They want a growing economy...