India’s reputation not decided by ‘a newspaper in New York’, says MEA S Jaishankar

In interviews, media interactions and a public lecture, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has made the following points among others which have received widespread attention.

· Indians should not be faint-hearted about the economy. People in the Government are confident that things are well on way to recovery. Slowdown in two consecutive quarters is not reason enough to panic because this has happened before.

· India's nationalism should not be viewed through a Western lens...'In the US, it has an isolationist connotation. In Asia, at least in India, nationalism is a positive word. An Indian nationalist is an internationalist and India has much to offer to the world.

· There is liberal fundamentalism at work and the criticism of the Government on the economy or on Kashmir are driven by prejudice and ideology. In support of his contention, he referred to top-line media outlets suggesting that NRC issue started with this government-- which the minister says shows how strongly prejudice can override diligence.

· Referring to criticism in Western media and American newspapers, the MEA said that Article 370 was always a ‘temporary’ measure but critics do not acknowledge it for political reasons, adding, “My reputation is not decided by a newspaper in New York."

· On Kashmir he said that restrictions have been gradually reduced, and as the situation normalises, telephone and mobile lines have been restored, shops are open and apple harvest is under way. The situation is back to normal.

You can watch a video clip here:

The statements drew sharp reactions from international scholars and observers. One caustic comment was, “Chinese nationalism is a threat to humanity, but Indian nationalism is obviously a force for good.”

Another American scholar tweeted the following:

Indian government: "It is not for other countries to comment on India's internal affairs

Indian PM: Trump loves every American and I will hold a rally on American soil with him

Indian MEA: America's liberal media is terrible and its public ill-informed

Indian Twitter: time for wild conspiracy theories about the Democratic Party, American Muslims, and US domestic politics and nasty abuse of multiple sitting members of Congress

Indian intelligence (allegedly): Please enjoy our online disinformation network aimed at you!

In India, nationalism is a "positive word", and this nationalism does not cause tensions with the Muslim community, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said.

In an interview with Le Monde, the EAM, to a question that PM Modi has the "image of a nationalist leader" and if he accepts it, said that each country has a "different understanding of nationalism, a different history".

"In the United States, it has an isolationist connotation. In Asia, at least in India, nationalism is a positive word. Nationalists have stood up against colonization, against the domination of the West. There is much to be done with the restoration of identity, of cultural trust. So yes, there is a sense of nationalism in our country.

"They say that the country is doing well, not only are we better perceived, but we can do more for the world. In India, a good nationalist is an internationalist, it is not contradictory," he said, adding " The problem is that you (the West) apply your concepts to us."

To a question on "doesn't this nationalism cause tensions with the muslim minority?", he said: "No. It is my country that defines my nationality, not my religion, nor my caste, nor my language.

"Here in Europe, the link between language, religion and nationality is stronger. The concept of nation is different. In India, we are in a sense a civilization state, with natural, linguistic, ethnic and religious diversity. We have never considered uniformity as a necessity or an aspiration.

"There are few places in the world where you will see so many people with so many beliefs co-existing. There is a different understanding and appreciation of the diversity of Europe."

Again he stressed: "You (the West) see us through your prism, you attribute to us a behaviour that you practice yourself. But we are not you!"

He said that with the progress of democracy and educational standards in India, many more people are participating in the political debate. "Today, politics in India is less westernized, less elitist. We are moving more towards what India really is, towards a style more rooted in Indian culture. That's a good thing. The western world sees this as nationalism, it's not so."