Newly-elected Members of Parliament and potential candidates for inclusion in the new Cabinet and Council of Ministers of the Narendra Modi-led government were invited to high tea at the Prime Minister’s residence on Sunday afternoon.
BJP leaders, including Nirmala Sitharaman and Sarbananda Sonowal, were seen arriving at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, the residence of Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi, to participate in the tea.
According to reports from the Indian Express, S Jaishankar may become External Affairs Minister (EAM) again in the Modi 3.0 government. Jaishankar has been a key figure in India’s diplomacy over the past five years, navigating a rapidly changing global landscape. As the first Foreign Secretary to also serve as Foreign Minister, he played a crucial role in shaping the nation’s foreign policy amidst various challenges that disrupted the world order.
Some of these challenges included the COVID-19 pandemic, an assertive China, conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war, and the Israel-Hamas dispute.
Jaishankar’s diplomatic career spans back to 1977 when he joined the Indian Foreign Service. He has held various positions in different countries, including serving as Foreign Secretary from 2015-2018 and as Ambassador to the United States, China, and the Czech Republic.
Some of Jaishankar’s diplomatic achievements include being a key negotiator for the Indo-US nuclear deal and playing a central role in managing the Doklam standoff between India and China in 2017.
He has also been closely involved in shaping India’s approach towards China, especially in border disputes, economic cooperation, and regional security dynamics. Jaishankar’s experience in dealing with China has been crucial in navigating the complex relationship between the two countries.
Under the ‘Vaccine Maitri’ initiative, India supplied ‘Made-in-India’ vaccines to 72 nations during the COVID-19 pandemic, receiving warm appreciation from global leaders and citizens.
India has also actively advocated for an end to the Russia-Ukraine war through diplomacy and has condemned terror attacks on Israel during the Israel-Hamas conflict, calling for a peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomacy.
Overall, Jaishankar’s potential return as External Affairs Minister signals continuity in India’s diplomatic efforts and a focus on maintaining peaceful relations with other countries.