In a recent conversation at Council of Foreign Relations in New York, India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, addressed several key issues. He also stated criticism of India’s human rights record often contains an “ideological agenda,” biases, and distorted facts. He emphasized India’s commitment to pursuing its own path in areas such as health, economics, climate, development, and security policy.
Jaishankar Highlights the Nation’s Unique Approach
Regarding India’s declining rankings on global indices related to democracy and freedom, Jaishankar criticized the reports, stating that they were written with “strong biases,” distorted facts, and carried ideological agendas. He suggested that these reports should be viewed critically.
On the broader global stage, Jaishankar highlighted India’s independent foreign policymaking and its role in addressing global issues. Regarding climate change, he expressed concerns about the lack of resources and favorable terms for accessing finance, especially for developing countries.
India’s Perspective on Global Climate Efforts
He noted that despite the G20 summit’s emphasis on the Green Development Pact, the COVID-19 pandemic had placed a significant burden on developing nations’ pursuit of sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Jaishankar also mentioned that technology options for green development were expanding each year, making many solutions viable and affordable. He stressed the importance of scaling up these solutions to ensure they are accessible to a broader population.
Additionally, he emphasized that addressing issues like reforming international financial institutions, the Green Development Pact, and achieving sustainable development goals would require comprehensive solutions.
