‘Could Have Done With Vande Bharat’: Jaishankar On PM Modi’s Train Ride To Ukraine

Reflecting on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent train journey to Ukraine, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar noted that the trip could have been made more comfortably "with a Vande Bharat." He mentioned that the journey, which took 10 hours each way, was the only viable option at the time.

Upon his arrival in Ukraine, PM Modi was welcomed at the station and proceeded to the Hyatt Hotel for initial engagements. The Indian diaspora greeted him warmly at the hotel. During his visit, he also paid tribute to Ukrainian children who lost their lives due to the Russian invasion at the multimedia Martyrologist in the Ukraine National Museum.

Geopolitical Risks and De-risking Policies

Discussing current geopolitical issues, Jaishankar emphasised that governments are now more focused on assessing and mitigating risks. He noted that over the past 15 years, global risks have steadily increased, affecting international economies and individual nations. "If there is a major war going on in Europe, there is a huge conflict going on in West Asia," he said.

Jaishankar highlighted various risks including supply chain disruptions, climate change, pandemics, and technological threats. He stated, "The idea that there are borders and borders are some kind of hardlines, and problems can be stopped on that side of the border, those days are over." He stressed that effective risk management allows countries to explore new opportunities.

India's Response to Covid-19

The minister also mentioned India's handling of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. He credited India's success to following its own understanding rather than external advice. "We were among the countries who largely followed our own understanding of our own society," he said. This approach enabled India to emerge from the crisis better than many other nations.

Reflecting on PM Modi's previous train journeys, Jaishankar recalled his ride on Japan's Shinkansen bullet train but couldn't remember another recent instance of an Indian Prime Minister taking a train ride. This underscores how unique PM Modi's Ukraine visit was.

In conclusion, Jaishankar reiterated that today's world is increasingly focused on de-risking strategies. He pointed out that India is actively seeking opportunities and aiming to integrate more into global supply chains as part of this approach.