External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday, criticized the inconsistent application of
principles in global politics, particularly regarding democracy and military rule, while pointing to the “different standards” being applied to India’s eastern and western neighbours.
While delivering the keynote address at the IIC-Bruegel Annual Seminar in Delhi, the Minister emphasised that the agenda can no longer be set by some only to be observed by the rest.
“Even on a question like democracy and military rule. Different standards have been applied to our neighbours in the East and our neighbours in the West. It is not my case that principles are dispensable or that we must be utterly into real politics but the agenda can no longer be set by some, only to be observed by the rest,” he said.
Further, he pointed out that the world is currently witnessing two major conflicts referring to the Middle-East conflict and the RussiaUkraine war, and they are often presented as matters of principle, but with selective and uneven application.
“The world is currently witnessing two major conflicts. These are often presented as matters of principle. We are told that the very future of the world order is at stake. Yet the record shows how selectively and unevenly these principles have been applied,” Jaishankar stated.
He highlighted India’s experience, citing the ongoing occupation of its territory and the overlooking of terrorism when convenient.
“We in India have yet to see aggression on our territory vacated after so many decades. Equally, terrorism has been overlooked when convenient. In our own continent, international law has been disregarded with significant consequences,” he said.
