External Affairs Minister EAM Jaishankar, while addressing a joint press conference with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on September 10, defended India’s progress against the statements of Rahul Gandhi. The comments by Jaishankar have come in response to what many Indians found was a controversial and damaging statement to the country’s image by Congress leader Rahul during his recent visit to the UK.
The criticism over running propaganda against India has been on the politician’s head, and that too the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha since June 2024. Do the critics feel that the statements of Raul Gandhi in the UK visit seemed to aim only at defaming the BJP during visits? EAM Jaishankar underlined that India is making immense strides.
What positives did Jaishankar share about India?
The country is already nearing the threshold of a $4 trillion economy at an expected growth rate of 8%. Besides, he also informed that India’s enormous infrastructure development encompasses the construction of 7-8 airports every year and 1-2 metro systems. Also, 28 kilometres of highways and 12 kilometres of railway tracks are built daily.
He further mentioned the role of leadership that India has been able to assume in the field of digitalization, with the country recording the highest number of financial digital transactions in the world. Moreover, he mentioned that this country is the third-biggest startup ecosystem in the world, representing its vibrant entrepreneurial culture.
In addition, he said that the number of universities and colleges has doubled in the last decade and could train a skilled workforce. The Minister also spoke of how India is one of the largest manufacturers of vaccines and medicines in the world. It is one of the very valuable contributions the country has made to global health.
On the other hand, the statements of Rahul Gandhi have drawn people’s wrath for his grim picture of India. The Congress leader has pointed out that India is insecure for people, religious freedom is restricted, and casteism is the order of the day in Indian society. He has also said that social media influencers are from certain caste groups and blamed the country for not being friendly to skilled professionals.
BJP leaders react strongly to statements of Rahul Gandhi
BJP leaders have resonated similarly. The party spokesperson Sambit Patra attacked Gandhi for being on the same page as the “tukde-tukde gang” and for supporting those who Patra claimed were against the country. Patra also attacked Gandhi’s stand on border-related issues with China, accusing him of omitting the historical perspective, which included Jawaharlal Nehru, a relative of Gandhi and India’s first Prime Minister.
Union Minister Amit Shah also addressed people on social media platform X. He accused Gandhi of supporting forces that conspire against the country and making anti-national statements. Shah went so far as to say that these actions of Gandhi were a serious threat to India’s national security. Jaishankar’s remarks decisively demolish the script that Gandhi trotted out to foreign shores.
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