EAM Jaishankar clarifies, secularism doesn't entail denying own religion, culture
- In Reports
- 01:22 PM, May 06, 2024
- Myind Staff
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar clarified that secularism entails showing respect for all religions and does not entail denying one's own religion or feeling ashamed of one's culture and heritage.
During an interactive session in Cuttack, Odisha, while campaigning for the BJP amid the Lok Sabha elections, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar addressed queries regarding the integration of secularism into the country's foreign policy.
Explaining the concept, Jaishankar emphasised that secularism entails showing respect for all religions and does not involve denying one's own religion or feeling ashamed of one's culture and heritage. He stressed the importance of acknowledging India's history, culture, and traditions in the contemporary context.
He asserted that historical facts should be acknowledged without defensiveness, regardless of their antiquity. Jaishankar emphasized that while he respects all religions, he maintains personal pride in his own identity.
As a representative of the state, he affirmed the importance of recognising all religions, but underscored that this does not diminish the significance of his own identity. He expressed confidence that such a stance garners respect.
The Minister highlighted India's evolving role as a "Vishwabandhu" nation, emphasising its collaborative approach to international relations amidst global instability, chaos, and conflict. He stated that being a "Vishwabandhu" offers India a strategic advantage on the global stage, allowing it to engage harmoniously with various nations.
He underscored India's identity as a nation that collaborates with partners across the world for national security, mentioning potential alliances with countries like America, Europe, Russia, Gulf nations, and Israel.
Jaishankar emphasised the concept of "Vishwabandhu," describing nations that form partnerships to advance their interests, even amidst internal conflicts.
His remarks coincided with US President Biden's comments characterizing India, China, Japan, and Russia as having a "xenophobic" nature, attributing their economic challenges to this attitude.
Biden suggested that embracing immigration could boost the economic performance of these countries, contrasting it with America's growth due to its welcoming stance toward immigrants.
Jaishankar rebuffed Biden's "xenophobia" remark, citing India's 7% economic growth, higher than many nations. He emphasised India's openness, pluralism, and diversity, asserting it as the most understanding society globally.
Image source: ANI
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