Mr Jaishankar, the external affairs minister, is currently in Sweden for a three-day trip to attend the EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum (EIPMF). This visit is significant as it coincides with the celebration of 75 years of diplomatic relations between India and Sweden, and it marks Jaishankar’s first visit to Sweden as the external affairs minister.
Mr Jaishankar, the external affairs minister, is currently in Sweden for a three-day trip to attend the EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum (EIPMF). On Saturday, he had the opportunity to meet his counterparts during the EIPMF proceedings. This visit is significant as it coincides with the celebration of 75 years of diplomatic relations between India and Sweden, and it marks Jaishankar’s first visit to Sweden as the external affairs minister.
S. Jaishankar’s met with 8 other Counterparts
During his meetings in Stockholm, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar engaged in discussions with his counterparts from France, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, and Romania on various topics, such as the Indo-Pacific region and the conflict in Ukraine.
Mr Jaishankar held a meeting with Catherine Colonna, the Foreign Minister of France, where they expressed mutual excitement for ensuring the success of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Bastille Day celebration. They discussed various topics such as the Indo-Pacific region and the G20. On July 14, Prime Minister Modi will be the esteemed guest of honour at this year’s Bastille Day Parade in Paris, upon the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. The Ministry of External Affairs has confirmed that a group of Indian Armed Forces personnel will join their French counterparts in participating in the parade.
Mr. Jaishankar held a meeting with Alexander Schallenberg, the Foreign Minister of Austria, where they not only met but also signed agreements relating to mobility and migration. During his initial meeting with Hadja Lahbib, the Foreign Minister of Belgium, Mr. Jaishankar expressed his commitment to advancing both bilateral relations and multilateral cooperation. He also engaged in discussions with Ivan Kondov, the Foreign Minister of Bulgaria, regarding the progression of bilateral and multilateral ties.
In his conversation with Constantinos Kombos, the Foreign Minister of Cyprus, Mr. Jaishankar deliberated on matters concerning mobility and tourism. Furthermore, during his encounter with Edgars Rinkevics, the Foreign Minister of Latvia, Mr. Jaishankar explored avenues for strengthening bilateral relations amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Additionally, Mr. Jaishankar extended his gratitude to Bogdan Aurescu, his Romanian counterpart, for facilitating Operation Ganga. This operation involved the evacuation of all Indian nationals who were stranded in Ukraine, and Mr. Jaishankar thanked Mr. Aurescu for his assistance in this mission.
India & Globalisation
The minister discussed the ongoing changes happening in India and the prospects they brought for Indians residing in foreign countries.
When questioned about the possibility of the West embracing ‘Pani Puri’ instead of hamburgers in the era of globalization, and having New Delhi instead of New York printed on H&M T-shirts, Jaishankar responded by saying, “There is a saying, ‘aapke muh mein ghee-shakkar’, which implies that I hope what you’re suggesting becomes a reality,” which prompted laughter and applause from the audience.
Jaishankar expressed his observation about the ongoing phenomenon of Indian culture’s globalisation. He noted that several factors contribute to this trend. Firstly, the diaspora’s widespread presence plays a significant role. Secondly, Indians themselves are increasingly expressing their cultural identity with confidence. Jaishankar emphasized the importance of finding ways to make the globalisation of Indian culture more inclusive and widespread.
“However, there exist various domains, such as music and cinema, that possess immense cultural influence. This, in my opinion, is India’s inherent strength that we have yet to fully utilize and harness to its potential. I believe that individuals like yourself, who display enthusiasm, can inspire others to join in, thereby capitalizing on this strength for the betterment of our nation,” he remarked.