News Brief
EAM S Jaishankar.
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Sunday (26 may) underscored the importance of having a strong and decisive leader like Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the current decade, as per a report by Hindustan Times.
Speaking at the Benares Club in Varanasi, Jaishankar emphasised, “Push the right button for the Modi guarantee,” while addressing a large gathering.
He highlighted that Modi's leadership is crucial for navigating global challenges and ensuring India’s continued progress.
Jaishankar is among the prominent BJP leaders campaigning in Varanasi, joined by party president Jagat Prakash Nadda, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, and Home Minister Amit Shah, who is set to arrive on Monday evening.
Advocating for Modi’s third term as Prime Minister, Jaishankar pointed to India's domestic achievements over the past decade as a key factor in the country’s global respect.
He stated, “You need a leader who balances Bharat First with Vasudev Kutumbkum, and only then can India be Vishwabandhu. We have conducted 36 plurilateral engagements and demonstrated our ability to balance relations with America and Russia, Iran and Israel, the G-7 and the Global South.”
The minister contrasted the current government’s efficiency with previous administrations, noting that under past regimes, only 15 paise of every rupee sent from Delhi reached the intended beneficiaries.
He credited the digital revolution and honest governance for ensuring that every rupee now goes directly into the bank accounts of beneficiaries.
During his two-day visit to Varanasi, Jaishankar also interacted with educationists, schoolchildren, members of the Tamil community, and local intellectuals. He conveyed that under Modi's leadership, India is poised for significant economic growth and enhanced international power.
Jaishankar highlighted that the key to achieving a "Viksit Bharat 2047" (a developed India by 2047) lies in economic growth, stability, and robust national security, all of which, he argued, can only be ensured by a leader like Narendra Modi.