NEW DELHI: External Affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar on Friday issued a 21-minute video statement on Friday slamming the Opposition parties after they disrupted his speech at the Rajya Sabha.
Dr Jaishankaonโs speech on recent developments in Indian foreign policy faced disruption in the Rajya Sabha as opposition MPs protested, leading to a 360-degree view of PM Modiโs foreign visits and Indiaโs global outreach being presented in a video.
Addressing the disruptions, Jaishankar expressed disappointment in the partisan politics overshadowing national progress. He stated that the thrust of his statement would be conveyed through the video, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of Indiaโs foreign policy.
โSadly, the Opposition repeatedly disrupted my statement in both Houses of Parliament. Obviously, for them, partisan politics was more important than national progress,โ Dr Jaishankar said.
Yesterday, my statement to the Parliament on recent developments in Indian foreign policy was continuously disrupted.
Here is a thrust of my remarks. https://t.co/fXikQSVhfjโ Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) July 28, 2023
During his speech in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, ruling NDA MPs chanted โModi, Modi, while opposition MPs countered with โI.N.D.I.A.โ Jaishankar responded, questioning the meaning of being โI.N.D.I.A.โ if the opposition wasnโt willing to consider Indiaโs national interests.
โIf you claim to be I.N.D.I.A. and you are not prepared to listen to the national interests of India, what kind of I.N.D.I.A. are you?โ Jaishankar said on Thursday.
Amidst the political drama, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha mocked Jaishankarโs speech, alleging that the minister spent nearly 30 minutes discussing the Prime Ministerโs foreign trip itinerary and missed crucial details like food menus.
โBut he didnโt read out the food menus, which was sad. How could he overlook such crucial details?โ the young AAP leader said.
Jaishankarโs video presentation sought to provide a comprehensive overview of PM Modiโs recent foreign visits and Indiaโs diplomatic efforts to garner support for its vision from foreign nations. The minister highlighted Indiaโs people-centric foreign policy, emphasising that it aligns with the aspirations and demands of Indian society.
However, Jaishankar expressed regret that these vital matters werenโt given the opportunity for thorough debate in Parliament, despite their significance in the current complex international landscape.
โAt a time when international affairs have become unprecedented and complex, our people-centric foreign policy is guided by the demands and aspirations of our society,โ Dr Jaishankar added.
He emphasised that Indiaโs voice represents peace, security, and prosperity for all, and the world recognises India as a significant global influencer.
โToday the world recognises that when India speaks, it speaks not only for itself but for many others and that India speaks as the voice of peace, of security, and of prosperity for all,โ Dr Jaishankar said.
