Errors from the Nehruvian period continue to plague the nation: Dr. Jaishankar

Dr. S. Jaishankar, the minister of external affairs, emphasized that a number of the problems the country is now experiencing at its borders stem from the errors made during the Nehruvian period.

He is giving a discussion here on Tuesday on “Foreign Policy: The India Way: From Diffidence to Confidence,” which is being hosted by the Hyderabad Chapter of the Forum for Nationalist Thinkers.

He said that indecision has long clouded the nation’s foreign policy decision-making, leading to issues along Pakistan’s and China’s borders.

He discussed the contentious Nehruvian policies that led to the 1962 Indo-China War, India’s failure to get a permanent seat in the UN Security Council, disagreements with the US over the pro-socialist agenda pursued, and other issues.

Says Dr. S. Jaishankar: “Consider a nation such as Israel. 1948 saw the independence of Israel. We decided not to have an ambassador or an embassy in Israel between 1948 and 1992. Why not? He inquired.

In addition, no Indian prime minister has ever been to Israel since 1992, despite the fact that India maintained an embassy there until 2017, when Narendra Modi paid a visit. After giving it some thought, tell me that religion has no effect on our policies. He said, “Is this not a vote bank?”

He continued, saying that over the previous ten years, the nation has evolved and become a more confident voice in international affairs and in a variety of multilateral venues, maintaining its national interest while expressing its position.

According to Dr. Jaishankar, India is prioritising its interests above all else, as evidenced by the country’s actions, which include purchasing oil from Russia in spite of the threat of Western sanctions, organizing the G-20 Summit with success, ensuring the safety of Indians in conflict areas, and growing its economy to become the fifth largest in the world.