EAM Dr S. Jaishankar was speaking at the launch event of his book ‘Why Bharat Matters’ in the national capital….reports Asian Lite News
Calling his 10-year tenure under the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government “transformational”, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that from a time when Indians had to face difficulties regarding visas, today many countries are themselves pursuing New Delhi to figure out workplace mobility.
He further emphasized that today, a big opportunity lies in the area of the global workplace besides supply chains and digital flows.
The EAM was speaking at the launch event of his book ‘Why Bharat Matters’ in the national capital on Wednesday.
Jaishankar opened up on the range of subjects he has dealt with in the book, ranging from Article 370 as well as India’s border situation, especially along LAC with China.
Speaking at the event, Jaishankar said, “The last 10 years, where I have largely served in the government, have been transformational and I bring out in a descriptive account what those transformations have been. Within that transformation, some inflexion points…I would describe the Article 370 decision as one of them. What has changed on the border with China is another, the whole neighbourhood”.
“I tried to explain is really a new construct of foreign policy that has come into the making. Of course, since I am in politics…we also are experiencing attacks from beyond our borders which are often ideological and agenda-driven,” he added.
Highlighting the multiple achievements of India in the last few years, the EAM said that the situation of visas has completely transformed over the years, with multiple countries pursuing New Delhi to figure out workplace mobility.
“If there is Apple production in India, we are able to deploy our own 5G stack. If we could go to the moon in the manner in which we did. If we could produce a vaccine with the kind of accuracy, integrity on that mass scale…all these are symptomatic of what is happening,” Jaishankar said.
He added, “The big opportunity for me apart from getting into supply chains, digital flows is actually is the global workplace…5-10 years ago we were chasing the world saying you know you are being tough on Indians where visas are concerned. Today, there are a range of countries that are pursuing us saying ‘Let us figure out workplace mobility’. In the last 2-3 years, we have signed agreements with Germany, Italy, Portugal”.
References to Ramayana
Jaishankar opened up on the references to epic ‘Ramayana’ in his book ‘Why Bharat Matters’ and described India’s rise through anecdotes of Lord Ram, Lord Lakshman and Lord Hanuman.
Describing India’s rise, Jaishankar talked about the sequence where Lord Ram strings the bow which marked his arrival at the stage. Comparing it to India, he said that India is also very close to that moment.
Speaking at the event on Wednesday, Jaishankar said, “We are at that inflexion point (arrival at the big stage). In the book itself, I have said it’s not a single act, there are multiple acts. Even Ram was tested multiple times. He strung a bow…In our case, there is a series of steps. Some of it is economics, history, the exercise of nuclear power, and the reframing of Bangladesh. To me the last 10 years, especially the last five years…”.
He also compared the situation during the Covid pandemic where India was underestimated, but the country came through it successfully with a more healthy growth rate than other major countries.
“There is one experience of Covid I would never forget. During the G20 virtual conference, the head of the World Bank said, ‘India is going to be the big problem. If there is one part of the world that will buckle up under Covid, it is going to be India’,” the EAM said.
He added, “When I look through the Covid experience and watch how we came through it and look today, where we are. One part of it is a 7.7 per cent growth rate, but look at the rest of the transformation that is taking place…I think we have strung the bow or are very close to that moment”.
Jaishankar also gave the reference to Lord Hanuman, regarding how he forgot his own strength comparing the situation to how India helped Sri Lanka during the time of economic crisis.
“He (Hanuman) was cursed to forget his own strength. So it is only as he enters divine service and does more and more that he knows the full extent, the capabilities. I think in a way that is what is happening to us, that when we look at what seemed impossible or unrealistic just a few years ago today would seem very natural. We had an economic crisis in our en route (in Sri Lanka). Now if 10 years ago I would have said we are going to make a USD 4 billion intervention in the neighbourhood…and yet we have done it,” the EAM further said.
He further pointed out that there are several diplomats in the epic ‘Ramayana’. He also compared the Ram-Lakshman relationship with that of close allies.
“Ramayana has many great diplomats…Everyone talks about Hanuman, but there was another…Angad. Each one of them made a diplomatic contribution…In India, we use ‘Ram-Lakshman ‘ as sibling, half-brothers actually. It means two brothers are so close…Every Ram requires a Lakshman, countries are better served if you have reliable friends and allies,” Jaishankar added.
On being asked if France is ‘Lakshman’ (key ally) for India, Jaishankar said, “I have a chapter on France, it has many references to Lakshman many times”.
Jaishankar further explained Quad using the reference to the four sons of Dasharatha — Ram, Bharat, Lakshman, and Shatrughna.
“In the direct analogy I make to the Quad, is in the fact that the four sons of Dasharatha — Ram, Bharat, Lakshman, and Shatrughna, who in many ways have competitive interests…the Rama has been exiled. So there is this, gathering in the forest where the two brothers who have gone into exile are meeting the other two who have come from the captain. And, Hunter King who’s observing them actually marvels at the fact that though, in a way they are competitive, yet there is something fundamental about them that brings them together when they meet and sit down. Suddenly, everything starts to work,” Jaishankar said.
He added, “That’s the Quad analogy that I have brought…almost every analogy, I would urge you not to take literally. I’m pointing to them in a way conceptually…obviously, all relationships are not going to be the same. You know, there will be, countries or people or figures who would be closer because you shared interests, you have a common way of looking at things that are rather convergences. But that should not lead us necessarily to neglect or alienate others”. (ANI)
‘Look forward to ngagements”: Jaishankar as he arrives in Nepal
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday arrived in Nepal for his first visit of 2024. He stated that he looked forward to the engagements over the next two days.
Nepal Foreign Minister NP Saud received him at the airport. The two leaders engaged in conversation as they proceeded towards their car.
In a post shared on X, Jaishankar stated, “Namaste Kathmandu Happy to be back in Nepal for my first visit of 2024. Looking forward to the engagements over the next two days.”
Jaishankar is on a two-day visit to Nepal from January 4-5. During the visit, he will co-chair the 7th meeting of the India-Nepal Joint Commission with his counterpart NP Saud. The Joint Commission Meeting will review the overall state of bilateral relations and various areas of mutua cooperation, according to the statement released by Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Established in 1987, the India-Nepal Joint Commission provides a platform for both ministers to review all aspects of the bilateral partnership. Jaishankar will also call on the leadership of Nepal and meet prominent political figures, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
During his visit, Jaishankar will meet Nepal President Ramchandra Paudel and Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda.’ Nepal Foreign Minister NP Saud will host a dinner in honour of Jaishankar and members of his delegation, according to a statement released by Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Speaking to The Kathmandu Post, NP Saud said, “We are planning to ink two agreements and are going to inaugurate three cross-border transmission lines.” He further said, “Besides these, we have over three dozen items of meeting agenda.”
During the meeting, the two sides will discuss connectivity and economic partnership, trade and transit, power and water resources, culture and education, among other things, The Kathmandu Post reported. The two leaders will also bring up matters discussed and agreed upon during Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s official visit to Delhi in 2022.
After the joint commission meeting, India and Nepal will sign a pair of agreements related to long-term energy cooperation and India’s proposal to increase funds for small development projects under the High-impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs), The Kathmandu Post reported.
Nepal is a priority partner of India under its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy,’ according to MEA. In a statement, MEA stated, “The visit is in keeping with the tradition of high-level exchanges between two close and friendly neighbours.”
Notably, India and Nepal share unique ties of friendship and cooperation characterised by an open border and deep-rooted people-to-people contacts of kinship and culture. The India-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1950 forms the bedrock of the special ties that exist between the two nations. (ANI)
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