External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, on Friday, hit back at former Congress President Rahul Gandhi, as response to Gandhi’s comments made earlier in the day on the current government’s foreign policy.
S Jaishankar posted a long thread on Twitter mentioning that India’s partnerships with other nations are stronger and the country’s international standing is higher than ever.
Rahul Gandhi tweeted on Friday along with a video of him discussing the border tension between India and China. He wrote, “Since 2014, the PM’s constant blunders and indiscretions have fundamentally weakened India and left us vulnerable. Empty words don’t suffice in the world of geopolitics”.
Here is the video shared by Rahul Gandhi:
Since 2014, the PM's constant blunders and indiscretions have fundamentally weakened India and left us vulnerable.
Empty words don't suffice in the world of geopolitics. pic.twitter.com/XM6PXcRuFh
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 17, 2020
In the video Rahul Gandhi talked about the Chinese aggression along the Line of Actual Control. He said that the tension along the Line of Actual Control can be attributed to the “trouble” India has with its foreign policy, economy and the relationship with its neighbours in the last six years.
S Jaishankar took on Rahul Gandhi’s questions one by one and wrote that India has been working to strengthen ties with its neighbours. He also mentioned that India has gained more weight in geopolitics.
“Our major partnerships are stronger and international standing higher. Witness regular summits and informal meetngs with the US, Russia, Europe and Japan. India engages China on more equal terms politically… Ask the analysts,” the Foreign Minister tweeted.
“We speak our mind more openly now. On CPEC, on BRI, on South China Sea, on UN sanctioned terrorists, etc… Ask the media,” he added. He also wrote that India has always protested against China’s CPEC push as the corridor passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
“Difficult ties with Maldives, after India watched President Nasheed being toppled in 2012, now stand transformed… Ask our businesses,” he wrote.
“Nepal after 17 years is getting Prime Ministerial visits. And a swathe of developmental projects: power, fuel, housing, hospital, roads, etc… Ask their citizens,” he tweeted.
“And Pakistan (that you skipped) surely notes the difference between Balakot and Uri on the one hand, and Sharm-el-Sheikh, Havana and 26/11 on the other… Ask yourself,” wrote S Jaishankar.
•And #Pakistan (that you skipped) surely notes the difference between Balakot & Uri on the one hand, and Sharm-el-Sheikh, Havana & 26/11 on the other.
Ask yourself.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) July 17, 2020