Jaishankar Praises PM Modi's Successful US Visit and Strong Chemistry with President Trump

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar recently commented on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US, describing it as successful. He noted that the rapport between Modi and President Donald Trump was positive. During Modi's official working visit on February 12-13, the two leaders discussed a wide range of bilateral issues.

Jaishankar shared his insights during an event moderated by Sanjeev Sanyal at the DU Literature Festival. He remarked, "I have been doing this all my life, so I have some reference points, and some experiences as a comparative assessment. And, I would say with all objectivity, I thought, it went very well, and for a variety of reasons."

Nationalist Leaders' Mutual Respect

The minister highlighted that both leaders are strong nationalists who respect each other's dedication to their countries. "Trump is an American nationalist, and I think in many ways nationalists kind of respect each other," he said. This mutual understanding forms a basis for finding common ground and strengthening ties.

Jaishankar also mentioned that Trump had fond memories of his visit to India. "He remembered," Jaishankar said, referring to Trump's positive recollection of his time in India. This shared history contributed to the good chemistry between the two leaders.

Memorable Moments and Shared Interests

Jaishankar recalled that Trump selected numerous pictures from his first term featuring India for a picture book. The Namaste Trump event at Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad was among them. "Clearly, he had a very good kind of a memory and feeling about the earlier term," Jaishankar added.

The discussions between Modi and Trump were open and cordial. Jaishankar noted that both leaders have clear visions for their countries' interests and opportunities with each other. He described the talks as being conducted with humour and geniality.

Strategic Insights from Epic Ramayana

During the event, Jaishankar also discussed his book "What Bharat Matters" and referenced the epic Ramayana. He spoke about Lord Ram's skills and Lord Hanuman's strategic thoughts during their mission to rescue Mata Sita from Ravana in Lanka.

He drew parallels between Ravana's arrogance and strategic complacency with real-world scenarios. "Ravana is an example of, what I would say strategic complacency," he explained, noting how such traits can be observed in global contexts today.

Neighbourly Relations with Bangladesh

When asked about Bangladesh's situation, Jaishankar stated that they must decide on their relationship with India. "They are a neighbour, they have to make up their mind," he said, emphasizing India's desire for calm relations.

Addressing India's rise on the global stage, Jaishankar acknowledged that it might unsettle some nations. "Our rise does rattle people," he remarked when questioned about India's growing influence.

The interaction provided insights into India's diplomatic strategies and its leaders' efforts to strengthen international relationships while addressing regional dynamics.