The diplomat who speaks plainly, no nonsense!

Raju Korti
To describe the 71-year-old S. Jaishankar as merely blunt would be to miss the method in his candour. He represents a distinct evolution in India’s diplomatic voice, one that has moved from cautious non-alignment to confident articulation of national interest. His rise to the position of External Affairs Minister is itself rooted in a career steeped in strategic exposure. A 1977-batch Indian Foreign Service officer, Jaishankar served as India’s Ambassador to the United States, China and the Czech Republic, besides holding key positions in the Ministry of External Affairs. His tenure as Foreign Secretary from 2015 to 2018 coincided with a phase of heightened geopolitical churn, preparing him for the political role he assumed in 2019.What sets Jaishankar apart is not just what he says, but where and how he says it. His now widely circulated remark in Finland at the Kultaranta Talks, an annual foreign and security policy forum hosted under the aegis of the Finnish President, exemplifies this. Referring to European criticism of India’s energy ties with Russia, he pointedly observed that weapons sold by Europe have long been used against India, adding that India has never posed a similar threat to Europe. The articulation of that sentiment, which has resonated widely, underscores both its bluntness and its historical grounding. The remark was not an off-the-cuff provocation but a calibrated intervention in a forum where strategic signalling carries weight.

S, Jaishankar (Wikipedia grab)

This is not an isolated instance. At various international platforms, including think tanks and press interactions in Washington and Brussels, Jaishankar has called out what he terms as Western “double standards.” When questioned about India’s oil imports from Russia, he countered by highlighting Europe’s far larger energy purchases. When pressed on human rights concerns, he has often turned the lens back on critics, insisting on mutual respect rather than one-sided scrutiny. His responses to journalists, often clipped and precise, have gone viral not merely for their tone but for their clarity.

Yet, this bluntness is not indiscriminate. Jaishankar demonstrates an acute awareness of diplomatic context. At multilateral forums such as the United Nations or G20 meetings, his language remains measured, layered with the conventions of diplomacy. In bilateral engagements or public discussions, however, he allows himself greater directness. This duality creates the impression of a diplomat who does not mince words, while still operating within the discipline required of his office.

His approach also signals a broader transformation in India’s foreign policy. In the decades immediately following Independence, India’s diplomacy under leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru was shaped by idealism and the doctrine of non-alignment. The emphasis was on moral positioning and global leadership among newly independent nations. Over time, especially after the economic liberalisation of the 1990s, pragmatism began to take precedence. Today, under Jaishankar, this pragmatism has sharpened into an explicit “India First” articulation, where national interest is asserted without apology.

In comparing Jaishankar with his predecessors, one must acknowledge the distinctive style of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who also held the External Affairs portfolio. Vajpayee’s diplomacy was marked by poetic eloquence and moral clarity, often conveying firmness through persuasion rather than confrontation. Jaishankar, by contrast, employs the language of a career diplomat shaped by contemporary geopolitics. Where Vajpayee persuaded, Jaishankar often challenges. Where earlier foreign ministers exercised restraint in public articulation, Jaishankar uses public platforms as instruments of strategic messaging.

Internationally, Jaishankar is viewed with a mix of respect and caution. In the United States and Europe, he is seen as a tough negotiator who reflects the confidence of a rising India. His familiarity with Western institutions and his ability to engage them on equal terms add to his credibility. In China, his tenure as ambassador and his subsequent handling of border tensions lend him the image of a seasoned interlocutor. In Pakistan, his blunt references to terrorism and bilateral issues leave little room for ambiguity. Across Southeast Asia, his articulation of India’s Indo-Pacific vision has been received as part of a broader balancing strategy in the region.

Critically, his style also aligns with the centralisation of foreign policy under the Prime Minister’s Office, particularly under Narendra Modi. While Jaishankar’s voice is distinct, it operates within a larger strategic framework defined at the highest political level. This has led some analysts to argue that his bluntness is as much a reflection of political backing as it is of personal inclination.

Ultimately, Jaishankar’s significance lies in how he has normalised a more assertive Indian voice in global affairs. His statements, whether on Europe’s arms exports, American policies, or regional security dynamics, are not mere rhetorical flourishes but indicators of a country more willing to state its case plainly. In doing so, he has redefined the contours of Indian diplomacy, making it less about cautious positioning and more about confident assertion.

Whether this approach will sustain its effectiveness in an increasingly complex global order remains to be seen. What is undeniable, however, is that under Jaishankar, India’s foreign policy has acquired a sharper edge and a clearer voice, one that is heard, noted and often debated across the world.