S Jaishankar’s ascent to India’s External Affairs Minister is a tale of overlooked talent and decisive leadership. Despite Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s personal endorsement, the Congress party never gave him the prominence he deserved. It took Narendra Modi’s unorthodox appointment in 2019 to place him at the helm of India’s diplomacy—skipping the electoral battle altogether.
A product of India’s elite IFS, Jaishankar served in key postings across the globe, from Moscow to Washington. In 2009, Singh pushed for his elevation to Foreign Secretary amid the nuclear deal negotiations, valuing his negotiation skills. But Congress high command opted otherwise, perhaps wary of his independent streak. Jaishankar continued excelling as Ambassador to the US, where he nurtured the strategic partnership, and later in Beijing, managing the Dragon’s growing assertiveness.
Modi’s gamble paid off spectacularly. Appointing a non-politician diplomat as EAM, he tasked Jaishankar with redefining India’s global role. From Operation Devi Shakti in Afghanistan to countering Pakistan’s terror narrative at the UN, Jaishankar has delivered with precision. His ‘Bharat First’ mantra resonates in forums like G20, where he challenged Western hypocrisy on Ukraine while securing India’s interests.
Opposition voices, including Congress, decry the move as ‘parachuting’ an outsider. Yet, Jaishankar’s Rajya Sabha tenure and his handling of the Russia-Ukraine crisis—balancing ties with both powers—silence many doubters. In an interview, he once quipped about civil servants becoming politicians, underscoring his pragmatic shift.
As India eyes a multipolar world, Jaishankar’s non-conformist path highlights Modi’s merit-based approach, proving that expertise trumps dynasty in the new political playbook.