Jaishankar condemns Opposition's partisan politics amid Parliament disruption of foreign policy statement
New Delhi, July 28: Jaishankar, the Foreign Minister of India, addressed the disruption of his recent speech on foreign affairs in both Houses of Parliament, attributing it to the Opposition's prioritisation of partisan politics over the nation's progress. Despite facing protests from opposition MPs during his speech in the Rajya Sabha, Jaishankar expressed his views on the developments in Indian foreign policy through a 21-minute statement issued later.
The disruption occurred when Jaishankar was speaking in the Rajya Sabha, and a slogan war broke out between MPs from the ruling coalition (NDA) and the opposition (INDIA). While NDA MPs chanted 'Modi, Modi' in support of the Prime Minister, the opposition MPs countered with chants of 'INDIA, INDIA.' In response to this, Jaishankar questioned the opposition's commitment to the interests of India, saying, "If you claim to be I.N.D.I.A. and you are not prepared to listen to the national interests of India, what kind of I.N.D.I.A. are you?"
However, not everyone was impressed with Jaishankar's speech. AAP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha mocked the foreign minister's statement, remarking that Jaishankar spent nearly 30 minutes discussing the Prime Minister's foreign trip itinerary under the guise of a foreign policy statement. Chadha jokingly pointed out that Jaishankar failed to mention the food menus during these trips, which he considered a significant oversight.
Jaishankar defended his statement, stating that it provided a comprehensive overview of the Prime Minister's recent foreign visits and India's efforts to engage with other countries. He highlighted the importance of allowing these matters to be seriously debated in Parliament, given the unprecedented and complex nature of international affairs. Emphasizing India's people-centric foreign policy, Jaishankar stated that it is guided by the demands and aspirations of Indian society. He asserted that India's voice is recognized worldwide as one of peace, security, and prosperity for all.
Despite the disruption, Jaishankar's video statement aimed to present the essence of his speech on Indian foreign policy developments, emphasising the nation's role as a global voice for peace and prosperity. However, the political divisions within the Parliament continue to hinder substantive discussions on crucial matters of national and international importance.
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- With inputs from agencies
