Jaishankar Explains Foreign Policy to Congress Leaders
At the Parliamentary Consultative Committee on External Affairs meeting last week, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar explained India’s global strategy to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Earlier, on 16 January, foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shingle had made a presentation focussing on India’s Covid-19 diplomacy, multipolar foreign policy approach based on ties with the US, Russia, Japan, Germany and EU, neighbourhood approach, Act East Policy, Act West Policy and Africa outreach. Economic Times understands Gandhi described them as a “laundry list” rather than a strategy. Shashi Tharoor expectedly backed Gandhi.
Russia, Japan and the European Union: While Gandhi appeared sceptical of Russia, Japan and the European Union as poles, Jaishankar said they “can’t be written off as powers”, making it clear that New Delhi would strive for multipolarity, with India as one of the poles, a source said. What was surprising, according to Dipanjan Roy Chaudhury (Diplomatic Editor, ET) was Gandhi’s comments that Russia-Japan-EU did not matter for India as partners contradicting his party’s own position on Delhi’s ties with Moscow and Tokyo. India, under the Congress governments, have had strong ties with Soviet Union & Russia while supporting expanding partnership with Japan.
China: According to a source privy to details, when Gandhi said that India had overplayed Quad and China was trying to “behead India” through Pakistan and CPEC, Jaishankar explained that India was ready with its strategies. While Gandhi “appeared fatalist with regard to China”, the minister “appeared confident to handle the menace”.
Neighbourhood: While the minister “highlighted India’s connectivity projects in the neighbourhood and emphasised that such initiatives have improved over the past six years”, Gandhi is believed to have said projects do not reflect strategy.
Gulf countries: On ties with the Gulf countries, the Minister referred to growing trade and investment ties including investments from Gulf in India, defence partnership, security ties and effective intelligence sharing mechanism. The Minister also referred to assistance that Gulf countries provided to Indian diaspora since the outbreak of pandemic.
Africa: With regard to Africa, Jaishankar mentioned that African countries have felt that they are now getting necessary attention.
RCEP: Some Congress MPs at the meet felt that India should have joined RCEP but Jaishankar explained the reasons for staying away.
