'I am trying to put Prime Minister Modi's ideas into action' – Dr S Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs

India is a country with a legacy of diplomacy; Shrikrushna and Hanuman are our role models!

Pune – The identity of a country is determined by its leadership. Just as Deity Hanuman served Deity Shriram, similarly, I am trying to put Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s concepts into action. Prime Minister Modi is the vision, confidence and leadership of the country today, said Indian Minister of External Affairs Dr S Jaishankar. He was speaking at the 22nd convocation of ‘Symbiosis International University’ in Pune. On this occasion, someone asked him, whether only one Dr S Jaishankar is enough for India’s external affairs? He made the above statement in response to this.

“I am striving to put PM Narendra Modi’s vision into action.”- EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar at Pune Lit Fest

India has a rich diplomatic heritage – Shri Krishna & Hanuman are our ideals. In an unstable world, India must act with national interest at the center.#PuneBookFestival pic.twitter.com/vGwjIPVw1c

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) December 21, 2025

Addressing the audience, the Minister of External Affairs said, actually you should modify the question. Instead of asking about me, you should have asked whether only one Modi is enough; because a country acts according to the ideas of the leader.

An analysis of diplomacy in Puranas

In his speech, Dr Jaishankar highlighted the importance of Indian diplomatic skills by citing incidents from the Ramayana and Mahabharata.

He said,

1. In the Ramayana, Hanuman’s role was that of an ideal messenger. Before the burning of Lanka, he not only searched for Mother Sita, but also made detailed observations of the enemy’s (Ravana’s) strength.

2. By recognising the qualities in Bibhishana, Hanuman noted that he (Bibhishana) was siding with the wrong party. He made a plan to turn Bibhishana to Shriram’s side. This is true diplomacy.

3. The way Bhagawan Shrikrushna planned the diplomacy and war strategy in the Mahabharata, is the very legacy that inspires India’s foreign policy today also.