External Affairs Minister of India, S Jaishankar, recently spoke about his personal and professional journey in an interview with news agencies. Jaishankar, who comes from a family of bureaucrats, shared that his aspiration was to become a secretary and to be the best foreign service officer. However, his father's removal as Secretary, Defence Production by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, and his own supersession during the Rajiv Gandhi period with someone junior to him becoming the Cabinet Secretary, were setbacks in his family's bureaucratic career.
After his father passed away in 2011, Jaishankar became a secretary to the government. However, in 2019, he was offered a political opportunity that he was not prepared for. He joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and became a Union minister, serving as the External Affairs Minister of India.
Jaishankar spoke about his transition from foreign service to politics, saying that it was a bolt from the blue. He reflected on being invited by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to be a part of his Cabinet and his initial uncertainty about entering politics. However, he believes that he has learned a lot during his time as a Union minister and that the exposure he has gotten has been very different from his time as a bureaucrat.
Jaishankar also addressed the criticism by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over the government's response to China's aggression on the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh. He clarified that it was Prime Minister Modi who sent the Army to the LAC as a countermeasure to China's troop deployment, and that the opposition party should have honesty to look at what happened in 1962.
Overall, Jaishankar's interview sheds light on his personal and professional journey and his transition from foreign service to politics. It also highlights his perspective on current issues, such as India's relationship with China and the role of the opposition party in criticizing the government's response. As one of the key members of the Modi government, Jaishankar's insights provide valuable insights into the political landscape in India.