MINISTER of External Affairs (MEA) Dr. S. Jaishankar’s refusal to meet Indian-origin United States Congresswoman Ms. Pramila Jayapal who sought to introduce a congressional resolution urging India to lift all restrictions in Kashmir, is absolutely welcome and laudable. Stepping beyond the line of common courtesy, Dr. Jaishankar made it clear that he did not have anything to do with the person who sought to introduce a resolution that runs counter to India’s avowed policy and internal sovereign decision as regards Kashmir. This resolute ‘no’ indicates how firm India is and what kind of a no-nonsense person Dr. Jaishankar happens to be, in tune with the character of the Narendra Modi Government that has given an altogether different and tough dimension to foreign policy management and handling of India’s domestic issues.

 

Dr. Jaishankar stated without mincing words that Ms. Jayapal’s resolution in the House of Representatives was not a fair characterisation of the situation in Kashmir. The American media has reported widely that Dr. Jaishankar has refused to meet the congressional delegation because the US lawmakers refused to exclude Ms. Jayapal from its ranks during the meeting. This resoluteness may seem rather out-of-character for Dr. Jaishankar’s known personality as a career diplomat who would keep meeting even those whose goals ran counter to his or his country’s. Yet, as the top-most arbiter of India’s foreign policy management, Dr. Jaishankar decided not to meet Ms. Jayapal.

 

The message this small development with big import is tremendously important. The refusal has made the world aware of the fact that on Kashmir, India would take no nonsense from anybody. In fact, India’s political and diplomatic leaderships have made it amply clear by now that they have adopted a no-nonsense approach to national interests and threat perceptions.

 

Yet, when a resolution sought to urge India to lift restrictions in Kashmir, Dr. Jaishankar, in tune with the current tactical approach, said ‘no’ to the meeting in which its mover was included. There is no doubt that the people would notice how things have changed for the better as regards foreign policy management in India.