In answer to a query on Friday on India’s position on the war between Russia and Ukraine, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that although another country has taken over India’s territory, there has been no international discussion regarding the matter. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar made a subtle dig at Western countries when he said that individuals frequently choose beliefs based on convenience and ignore them when it doesn’t serve their interests. Right now, Jaishankar is in Japan on a formal visit.
S Jaishankar was asked by a Japanese journalist whether India was using “double-standards” by holding back from denouncing Russia for violating Ukraine’s territory.
“My position would be that the world is a complicated place, and there are many important principles and beliefs in the world. In international politics, it occasionally happens that nations choose one problem, one circumstance, or one guiding concept, and they emphasize it because it suits them. However, examining the principle itself, we in India understand it better than nearly any other nation because, in the immediate aftermath of our independence, we faced aggression and attempts to redraw our borders “S Jaishankar stated.
Some areas of India are still occupied by another country, Jaishankar noted, highlighting the country’s persistent territorial problems. He was disappointed, he said, that when India had faced similar circumstances in the past, the world had not come together on principle. He criticized the selective application of principles, pointing out that they are often chosen or ignored based on convenience rather than consistent adherence.
“And even today, parts of India are occupied by another country. But, we did not witness a global reaction that said, “Well, there’s a great principle involved; let’s all go with India.” Indeed, it is being told to us now that there are guiding principles. I wish I’d seen that principle in play for the last 80 years. I’ve seen those principles cherry-picked when they suit people and not when they don’t,” he added.
