Jaishankar’s entry in Union cabinet reminds us of Dr. Manmohan Singh’s entry in Narsimha Rao’s cabinet in 1991

The Indian Foreign Service officer of 1977 batch n former Secretary of Foreign Affairs, brilliant bureaucrat Subramaniam Jaishankar’s entry in prime minister Narendra Modi’s cabinet as foreign minister is being lauded across political spectrum.

Even the arch rival of the Bhartiya Janata Party, the Congress party’s spokesperson Mir Afzal has lauded the induction of former foreign secretary S. Jaishankar in Modi’s cabinet as foreign minister saying that his vast experience as the foreign secretary n as High Commissioner n ambassador of China, United States of America and Pakistan would contribute immensely in strengthening our foreign policy and enhancing good relations with these two super powers, especially Pakistan with which India’s relations are quite strained n need urgent repair n resurrection.

It is relably learnt that the role of the national security advisor Ajit Doval who is considered to be the ear n most trusted lieutenant of prime minister Modi has played a pivotal role in advising the prime minister to use the services of Subramaniam Jaishankar.

It may be recalled that in 1991 when the country’s economy was in doldrums the then prime minister P. V. Narsimha Rao has specifically brought Dr. Manmohan Singh into his cabinet as the Finance minister being an expert economist n former governor of Reserve Bank of India.

Dr. Monmohan Singh had then played a pivital role in opening the squeezed economy by liberising it leading to myriad foreign investment in the country n opening the doors for big business houses to expand themselves thus closing the licence raj culture.

Similarly, the prime minister Narendra Modi has tested the outstanding contribution and role of S. Jaishankar as the foreign minister n as high commissioner n ambassador to China, USA n Pakistan and finally rewarded him with the most significant role.

Since coming to power in 2014 n again seeking a historic majority in 2019 the prime minister’s special emphasis has been on strengthening the foreign policy n maitaining healthiest relations with US, China, SAARC, BIMSTEC and other NATO countries in order to decisively counter international terrorism n sideline Pakistan in the global diplomatic scenerio.

And highly specialist foreign expert Subramaniam Jaishankar is the best choice to not only improve friendly relations with foreign powerful nations but to also assist the prime minister in these endeavours.

The challenge on the foreign policy front is tremendous n S. Jayshanker has now in his capacity as the foreign minister has to primarily work hard n with dexterity on three fronts (1) to establish proper coordination with countries like US, China, UK, Gulf countries, Japan, France, n other European nations in order to unite them against international terrorism especially sidelining Pakistan or improving relations with our neighbours (2) to energise efforts to get the veto power and membership in the United Nations Security Council n (3) to lobby for India in order to help include India in the elite Nucleur Supplies Group for which lots of efforts had been made in the past but Pakistan’s traditional friend China had created bottlenecks in India’s every move, thus keeping it away from NSG.

It may be recalled that Subramanium Jaishaker has come in prime minister Modi’s confidence in the year 2013 when the latter visited China in his capacity of Gujarat CM. Mr. Jaishankar was then the ambassador to China. Sources reveal that Mr. Jaishankar was of immense help to him during his visit by way of establishing Modi’s contact with Chinese leadership n bureaucracy.

Thereafter when Mr. Modi visited US during his first tenure in 2014 not only had the then US ambassador Jaishankar helped the PM in all his diplomatic moves but had also convinced the then US president Barak Obama visit India as the chief guest at the Republic Day function which got materialised within no time.

Moreover the prime minister would be visiting foreign nations in the months to come, especially in Shaghai Corporation Organisation meet and G 20 summit where he will also meet several important foreign heads including the Pakistan PM Imran Khan. New foreign minister Jaishankar’s role becomes all the more significant in view of the prime ministers global visits in these significant meetings.

It may be recalled that Subramaniam Jaishankar is a second career diplomat to assume the charge as foreign minister
after K. Natwar Singh of Congress years ago. Natwar Singh however had an unceremonious exit from Rajiv Gandhi cabinet during the nineties in a controversy related to bribe for Iraq oil by his son.

Now S. Jaishankar will have to become the Rajya Sabha MP or contest for Lok Sabha within six months of holding the office of the foreign minister.

It is believed that the trioka of NSA Ajit Doval, foreign minister S. Jaishankar n PM Narendra Modi will make wonders in foreign policy issues giving India a lead in the months to come.

The Doklam stand off issue had been resolved by the NSA Ajit Doval alongwith the then foreign secretary Jay Shankar who had also been responsible for maitaining good n balanced relations with US n China especially in the context of mutual trade n pressuring Pakistan to give up aiding n abetting terrorism and also to convince the world powers about its open n clear cut involvement in running terror sanctuaries in Pakistan n using them against India for destabilisation n disturbances in already strife torn Kashmir n in other parts of Asia.

What’s your take friends?