The Unspoken Truth: Jaishankar Unpacks the World's Selective Principles

Well, sometimes, you just have to say it as it is, don't you? And that's precisely what India's External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, did. He truly didn't pull any punches, did he, in a recent address, directly calling out the United States and the European Union for what he clearly sees as a rather glaring case of "selective principles" on the world stage.

His message, delivered with characteristic candour, was blunt: there's a noticeable disconnect, honestly, between what certain powers preach about global order and how they actually conduct their own foreign policy. In his words, what's often "preached" just isn't "practised" — and you can almost feel the weight of that statement, can't you, given the current geopolitical climate?

The minister, during an event in Ahmedabad, didn't name names directly, not explicitly anyway, but the context was unmistakably clear. He pointed to the stark differences in how sanctions are discussed and applied, especially concerning Russia and its conflict in Ukraine. It's an interesting point, you have to admit, when you consider how fiercely some nations advocate for strict measures in one instance, only to exhibit a perhaps less stringent approach elsewhere. And this, for India, has been a long-standing observation, a point of genuine contention, one might say.

Jaishankar reminded everyone — and it was a rather potent reminder, too — that India has faced its own share of sanctions over the years. Think back to the nuclear tests, for instance; those were indeed trying times. Yet, somehow, India managed. But the crux of his argument went deeper, truly. He questioned the very notion of a "rules-based order" when the rules themselves seem to bend and flex depending on who's involved or, well, who's watching. It's a question of consistency, isn't it?

He even touched upon the complex dynamics with China, suggesting that while Beijing's actions on the border were indeed a grave concern, the global focus on sanctions seemed, at times, disproportionate or perhaps, more accurately, inconsistently applied. This isn't just about India defending its strategic choices, mind you; it's about a broader philosophical challenge to what India views as hypocrisy in international diplomacy. After all, how can a true "rules-based order" exist if the rules aren't applied universally, or at least, without such obvious bias?

India, for its part, has always navigated its foreign policy with a fierce independence, hasn't it? It's not about being pro-Russia or anti-West; it's about safeguarding national interests and maintaining strategic autonomy. The reliance on Russian military hardware, a historical legacy you could say, is a practical reality, one not easily dismissed. And, truthfully, when those who advocate for a universal set of principles seem to apply them so selectively, it just makes India's position — and frankly, its skepticism — all the more understandable.

So, what does this all mean? Well, Jaishankar’s words serve as a powerful, if not uncomfortable, mirror for many. They challenge the very foundations of how global power dynamics are perceived and, more importantly, how they're supposed to function. It’s a call for introspection, a plea, perhaps, for greater consistency and genuine fairness in an increasingly complex world. And honestly, for anyone paying attention, it’s a critique that’s hard to ignore.