Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr S Jaishankar said on Sunday that India takes a strong position on terrorism “because we are big victims of terrorism.”
Jaishankar’s comments come after India abstained from voting on a UN General Assembly (UNGA) resolution, as it did not include an explicit condemnation of Hamas’ 7 October terror attacks in Israel.
Important to Condemn Terror Attacks
Addressing a Town Hall in Bhopal yesterday, Jaishankar said, “Just as good governance is necessary at home, right judgments are necessary abroad.”
Glad to join those who believe that ये भारत का Time है।
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) October 29, 2023
Was a pleasure to speak at a Town Hall in Bhopal yesterday. Do listen in. pic.twitter.com/6qBCVW1tSB
“We will have no credibility if we say that when terrorism impacts us, it’s very serious; when it happens to somebody else, it’s not serious,” the EAM highlighted.
Thus, Jaishankar asserted that India must have a consistent position on the issue.
Impact of Global Politics on Domestic Politics
Outlining the influence that global and domestic politics have on each other, Jaishankar mentioned that inducting the African Union into the G20 was a foreign policy version of Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas.
The EAM emphasised that, in a globalised world, whatever happens globally affects domestic politics.
To this end, he underlined the impact of the Ukraine War, like inflation and the rise in the price of petrol and cooking oil, on Indians.
He highlighted that the divide between domestic and international politics has disappeared, making it necessary to take a holistic view.
Response to Disasters, World a Global Workplace
Jaishankar underscored that India needs to be prepared in an increasingly volatile world.
He mentioned India’s global efforts, like Operation Ajay in Israel, Operation Kaveri in Sudan, Operation Ganga in Ukraine, Operation Maitreyi in Nepal, Operation Rahat in Yemen, and Operation Sankat Mochan in South Sudan, undertaken during disasters and conflicts.
The EAM stressed that India’s Disaster Response Force enables the country to respond to disasters rapidly.
He also spoke of creating a Rapid Response Cell and control room in the Ministry of External Affairs to tackle disasters. He assured that a system with finances and civil-military coordination is in place for India to respond to risks.
Jaishankar further emphasised that India undertook Operation Vande Bharat during the COVID-19 pandemic to bring back 7 million Indians from across the globe.
Additionally, observing that over 30 million Indians live abroad, he noted that the world is today a global workplace.
Change in India’s Image, Good Government
The EAM said, “In the last few decades, India’s image in the world has changed a lot.”
"Because We're...": S Jaishankar On India's Strong Position Over Terrorism https://t.co/MMCIv7rybU pic.twitter.com/gy7jnTkvpv
— NDTV (@ndtv) October 30, 2023
He said it was noteworthy “The way [India] handled the pandemic when developed nations were too stressful; as some had a totally collapsed public health response.”
Saying that a strong government and a good government are two sides of the same coin, he also highlighted India’s firm stand during the war in Ukraine to buy oil from Russia despite opposition from the West. The EAM mentioned that the same countries in Europe that ask Indians not to buy oil from Russia buy it from Russia themselves.
Jaishankar said, “It is not just a matter of pride or I would say, statement of independence. It is also today a good government.”
India’s Abstention
India abstained from voting on a UNGA resolution drafted by Jordan and co-sponsored by 40 countries on Friday.
The resolution titled ‘Protection of civilians and upholding legal and humanitarian obligations’ called for an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict on humanitarian basis.
One hundred twenty-one countries voted in favour of the resolution. which called for immediate humanitarian access to Gaza strip, while there were 44 abstentions and 14 votes against it.
According to the Hindu, the abstention came as the resolution did not include an explicit condemnation of Hamas’ terror attacks in Israel.