India should act decisively to deal with international transgressions, says S Jaishankar
Former foreign secretary S Jaishankar on Sunday said India needs to behave "differently, more decisively and punitively" in the face of international transgressions of its interests. He further cited names of world leaders such as US president Donald Trump and said the world was becoming increasingly nationalistic.
Speaking on the "Agenda for Global Aspirations of India" at the India Ideas Conclave in Delhi, the former foreign secretary said, "In a world becoming increasingly nationalistic, you cannot play well without a strong nationalistic leader."
Jaishankar stressed that India should continue to play its role in shaping the agenda on world issues like it did on environment pollution and terrorism.
India needs to make difficult choices on regional and international matters if it wants to realise its global aspirations, he asserted.
On being questioned about the ways to deal with international transgressions, which some countries such Israel have done effectively, he said, "It is important for this country to behave differently, more decisively and punitively when the occasion warrants.”
A "willingness" to deal with such matters was visible in past two years, the ex-foreign secretary said.
"Historically, we tend to be mistaken towards inaction. We tend to be in a difficult situation and then say the risks of action are so high, let us not do it and find a more engaging way. We are trying to get over it," he said.
The traditional concepts are no longer effective in guiding policy making, he said, adding "world believes you if you live up to your aspirations".
"A country which cannot protect itself or seen to be protecting itself and seen to be exacting a price from those who harm it. There is a credibility issue there," Jaishankar said.
