'You are a star in the world…': EAM S Jaishankar 'blushes' as Ambassador Levitte praises him

Summary

In this insightful dialogue, a career diplomat reflects on pivotal moments in India's foreign policy, highlighting the economic crisis of 1992 and the decisive nuclear weapon stance in 1998. The last decade is underscored as significant, with strategic domestic reforms and a growing confidence in global engagement. The diplomat emphasizes India's proactive foreign policy, driven by an appetite for international collaboration and a sense of global responsibility, reflecting a nation's evolution and its people's support for a more assertive role on the world stage.

Takeaways

• 🌟 The speaker, a career diplomat, acknowledges the significance of India's evolving foreign policy.
• 📉 The year 1992 was marked by a severe economic crisis in India, which led to crucial reforms.
• 💥 1998 was a pivotal year for India's stance on nuclear weapons, with the decision to assert itself as a nuclear power.
• 🔄 The speaker describes India's foreign policy as more evolutionary than revolutionary in recent years.
• 🏛️ Domestic reforms in India are strategic and forward-looking, aiming to bolster the nation's capacities.
• 🌐 India's increased confidence is visible in its foreign policy, especially with changes in leadership.
• 📈 The speaker expresses optimism about India's growing domestic capacities and their impact on foreign relations.
• 🌍 India's foreign policy is popular domestically, with a desire to engage more with the world.
• 🛳️ India's proactive role as a first responder in global crises reflects its sense of responsibility.
• 🔝 The last decade has been highlighted as particularly important for India's foreign policy and global standing.

Q & A

What significant change did the diplomat notice in India's foreign policy?

The diplomat highlighted the year 1992 as a difficult year due to a major economic crisis, and the reforms implemented then served India well. The year 1998 was significant due to the decision to become a nuclear weapon power, which has since provided India with more confidence in dealing with competitive forces.

How does the diplomat view the last 10 years in terms of India's foreign policy?

The diplomat believes the last 10 years have been important, with a focus on domestic reforms and strategized changes that are not compelled but planned for the future. This has given rise to increased domestic capacities and a greater confidence in addressing the world.

What is the current sentiment towards foreign policy within India according to the diplomat?

The diplomat describes a sentiment of popularity and a sense of obligation and right in dealing more with the world. There is an appetite to engage more with global affairs and a responsibility felt towards the world.

How does the diplomat describe India's approach to foreign policy in comparison to other countries?

The diplomat notes that in most countries, foreign policy is not popular and budgets are shrinking. However, in India, there is a reverse trend with an appetite to do more with the world and a sense of responsibility.

What examples did the diplomat give of India's proactive global engagement?

The diplomat mentioned India's first responder operations, such as sending ships to the Gulf of Aden or responder teams to earthquake-stricken areas like Turkey, as examples of India's proactive global engagement.

What does the diplomat imply about the economic reforms of 1992 in India?

The diplomat implies that the economic reforms of 1992 were crucial and beneficial for India's development, setting a foundation for future growth and confidence in foreign policy.

Why was the decision to become a nuclear weapon power in 1998 important for India, according to the diplomat?

The diplomat views the decision to become a nuclear weapon power as important because it allows India to deal with competitive forces more confidently and assuredly in the international arena.

What does the diplomat mean by 'crossing the Rubicon' in the context of India's foreign policy?

The diplomat uses 'crossing the Rubicon' to signify a significant and irreversible decision, in this case, India's decision to become a nuclear weapon power, which has had lasting impacts on its foreign policy.

How does the diplomat perceive the evolution of India's foreign policy over time?

The diplomat perceives the evolution of India's foreign policy as a gradual and strategic process, with significant changes not necessarily occurring in a single year but rather as a series of planned and strategized developments.

What does the diplomat suggest about India's future in the global stage?

The diplomat expresses hope and confidence in India's future on the global stage, citing visible increases in domestic capacities and a strategic approach to foreign policy that is popular and supported domestically.