Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar advocates for international relations with Indian characteristics

The minister illustrated the limitations of a single cultural perspective by referencing the lack of awareness among those who spent their lives in Afghanistan about figures like Hari Singh Nalwa, a legendary Sikh warrior.

Dr. S Jaishankar, pitches for the development of international relations, image credit: Reuters

Minister of External Affairs, Dr. S Jaishankar, pitches for the development of international relations with distinct Indian characteristics during a conference in Pune. Emphasizing the importance of exploring India's rich cultural and knowledge reservoir, he questioned whether dedicating more time and attention to understanding the country's history, traditions, and knowledge is necessary for shaping an Indian strategic culture.

Speaking at the 'International Relations Conference on India's Strategic Culture: Addressing Global and Regional Challenges,' organized by an educational institute, Dr. Jaishankar drew attention to his diplomatic experience, specifically recalling interactions with American counterparts regarding Afghanistan.

He highlighted the impact of British narratives on the American understanding of Afghanistan, pointing out the necessity of viewing geopolitical situations through diverse cultural lenses.

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The minister illustrated the limitations of a single cultural perspective by referencing the lack of awareness among those who spent their lives in Afghanistan about figures like Hari Singh Nalwa, a legendary Sikh warrior.

He stressed the importance of adopting an Indian lens to shape international perceptions that align with the country's interests.

Dr. Jaishankar also addressed the tendency of Western intellectuals to acknowledge China's 5000-year-old history while sometimes neglecting India's historical depth. He cited Winston Churchill's view that India was no more a country than an equator, highlighting the need to challenge such perspectives.

Furthermore, the minister discussed the prevalence of Western-centric intellectual concepts in everyday language and emphasized the universalization of terms like Pyrrhic victory, Gordian knots, and Trojan horse.

He urged a broader recognition of diverse intellectual contributions, noting that concepts attributed to European thinkers often have ancient roots in Indian traditions, as seen in the case of Kautilya predating Lord Palmerston on the idea of permanent interests.

With inputs from PTI

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External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar