Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar is currently on a tour of Europe. In Geneva, he engaged with the Indian community and took a stance against Congress. He stated that today, we have to import from China due to our lack of focus on manufacturing in the 60s, 70s, and 80s.
‘Being elected for a third time is a statement on its own’
Jaishankar said, 'If people want to comment on my politics, I have no issue with that, but they should also be ready for my comments on their politics. To be elected for a third consecutive time after six decades is a statement by itself.'
He noted, 'Many people inquire why we import so heavily from China. One reason is our neglect of manufacturing in the 60s, 70s, and 80s.'
‘My father was also on the hijacked plane in 1984’
Jaishankar shared, 'I didn't notice it. There was a hijacking in 1984. I was part of the team dealing with it. I found out my father was on that flight. Thankfully, there were no casualties. I was part of the working team at that time.'
What did Jaishankar say about BRICS?
On Thursday, speaking in Geneva, Switzerland, he dismissed the notion that BRICS, comprising Russia, China, and India, is an unnecessary organization. He pointed to the G-20 and argued why BRICS couldn't exist when organizations like the G-7 do. He added that the G-7 nations never allowed other countries into their bloc, prompting countries like India to form their own group.
BRICS was established in 2009
S. Jaishankar emphasized this during a conversation with Ambassador Jean-David Levitte at the Geneva Center for Security Policy. BRICS was founded by Brazil, Russia, India, and China in 2009, with South Africa joining later. In January this year, five new countries – Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE, and Ethiopia – joined the group. BRICS nations account for 27% of the global GDP.
