EAM Jaishankar known for his witty answers and sharp foreign policies explained a new realm of reality when interviewed by ANI. He covered grounds on India’s stance on Russia-Ukraine war, on Pakistan as the ‘epicentre of terrorism’ and also the truth about Khalistanis and Canadian Politics.
EAM Jaishankar takes a dig at Canadian Politics
EAM Jaishankar has affirmed that Canadian politics have given space for Khalistanis forces and eventually allowed them to grow and affect the bilateral talks and relations between India and Canada. He adversely expressed his concerns that Canada’s interest are not in favour of their citizens.
In an interview with ANI; EAM Jaishankar said, “The issue at heart is that in Canadian politics has given these Khalistanis forces a lot of space and have been allowed to indulged in activities which I think are not working in India’s interest and not in Canada’s either. But unfortunately, that is the state of their politics”.
He also revealed that India’s G20 presidency and the Khalistani issue had no co-relation. He said that Canada has been facing Khalistani forces since decades and both the incidents coincidently had similar timing.
Canada-India relations have been strained ever since the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Canada’s choice to pro-Khalistani lobby has affected the bilateral talks of both the nations. EAM Jaishankar said that Indian diplomats staying there at a risk since in India Khalistani organisation is declared as a terrorism group.
“My Mind Games are working”: EAM Jaishankar
Describing the relations between India and Russia EAM Jaishankar said that the relations between both the nations have been proven beneficial for India. He also emphasised that India needs to be thoughtful while approaching other countries.
Replying to the metldown experienced by the Western Media considering his most recent visit to Russia he replied that “If people can’t read me it means my mind games are working. Honestly i see no reason people should take any, you know what was happening other than face value because we have always maintained that the Russia relationship is a very important one and healthy one”.
Notably India maintained a neutral stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict and advocated to use dialogues and diplomacy to resolve issues. During a meeting with President Putin in Samarakand in 2021, PM Modi emphasised, “This is not an era of war”.
PM Modi and President Putin have managed to culminate a very harmonious relationship with both leaders counting on each other for business, bilateral and politics. In EAM Jaishankar’s recent visit to Moscow, Putin personally wished betterment for PM Modi and hoped both leaders could meet soon.
EAM Jaishankar on Pak’s terrorism approach
EAM Jaishankar revealed that India has made “irrelevant” Pakistan’s policy of cross-border terrorism to bring it to the table for dialogue. He also revealed that New Delhi will never deal with western neighbours to legitimise any kind of terrorism.
He said that India is not unwilling to deal with Pakistan and indicted that it has to create an environment free of terror and hostility. Referring to Modi Government’s approach in dealing with Pakistan he said that India is “not going to play that game now” and will not tolerate cross-border terrorism.
On relations with neighbours including Pakistan he said that “We desire normal neighbourly relations with all our neighbours including Pakistan. For this an environment free of terror and hostility is imperative”.
MEA Jaishankar also said that Pakistan’s future will be determined by its own actions. He said that only Pakistan can counter issues like economic crisis and terrorism. He also blamed Pakistan itself for creating this severe financial crunch.
EAM Jaishankar’s take on Western Media saying “democracy declining in India”
Hitting at the western critiques which said democracy is sliding in India, EAM Jaishankar said that there is necessarily no need to take their views at the face value as there are “many standards” practised.
The minister said he is not saying that there is no room for improvement in India’s democracy. Rebutting the declining democracy in India statement he said that western media have a certain agenda and motive when they pass such comments. Taking a dig at their own yard, he said there are many undemocratic practises in the west like unfair elections and more.
EAM Jaishankar talked about increasing relations of India with the middle-east particularly with the Gulf countries. He said that majority of the Gulf countries have harmonious relations with New Delhi. Taking a trip down in memory lane to when Late Indira Gandhi visited the Gulf he said that no other PM got such a warm welcome apart from the former Lady PM. When PM Modi visited UAE the iconic Burj Khalifa was lit up in tri-colour as a mark of welcome for the Indian PM.
