Assertive Statecraft

Unlike earlier Indian External Affairs Ministers who, by and large, favoured a more measured tone when dealing with restive neighbours and India’s adversaries, S. Jaishankar’s approach has been unapologetically firm. He sets himself apart from his predecessors with a style of diplomacy that is both assertive and unflinching. Whether dealing with Pakistan’s cross-border terrorism or China’s military provocations, Jaishankar’s diplomacy merges strategic patience with sharp critique - a style that contrasts sharply with more reconciliatory stances of yore.

Consider his recent remarks at the 23rd Meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government in Islamabad. Jaishankar did not mince words, emphasizing that terrorism and extremism, often sponsored by Pakistan, hinder the region’s trade and connectivity. While former ministers like S.M. Krishna or Pranab Mukherjee might have opted for more diplomatic phrasing, Jaishankar had no inhibitions in openly calling out the “three evils” - terrorism, extremism and separatism. His blunt message was that trade and cooperation cannot flourish amidst violence, and India will not compromise on this principle.

This hard-line stance shows that India’s foreign policy has come of age. Previous ministers often focused on backchannel diplomacy and confidence-building measures, hoping to bring Pakistan to the table. Jaishankar, however, has raised the stakes, making it clear that the onus lies entirely on Islamabad. He has effectively drawn a red line, signalling that India’s patience for half-hearted promises of peace has worn thin.

His handling of China has been no less firm. Since the 2020 Galwan clashes, relations between India and China have been frosty, with border standoffs straining ties. While earlier ministers like Jaswant Singh sought to expand diplomatic channels and avoid direct confrontation, Jaishankar’s bolder approach has been to reduce India’s cooperation with Beijing to a bare minimum. At the SCO Summit, he underscored the importance of territorial integrity and mutual respect - an implicit but clear jab at Chinese expansionist ambitions. His message was that until Beijing respects India’s sovereignty, meaningful cooperation is off the table.

His remarks on Canada, delivered in response to Canada’s mishandling of separatist elements celebrating the assassination of former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi last year, demonstrate his willingness to confront far-flung Western powers. Jaishankar’s critique of Canadian PM Trudeau’s “vote bank politics” and the platform Canada has given to extremist Khalistan elements was a striking departure from the caution exercised by earlier ministers when dealing with Western democracies. Where former ministers might have chosen to tread lightly to preserve strategic partnerships, Jaishankar took a confrontational stand, calling out Canada’s complicity in nurturing forces that harm India’s unity. This approach underscores that India will no longer passively accept the actions of others, whether they be rooted in vote bank politics or geostrategic manoeuvring.