WHO’S THE BEST MINISTER 2: S. Jaishankar- Straighttalk & His Andaaz

Straightforward and non-nonsense taker, he is not afraid of taking any questions at any international forum or media and gives ity back to the poser as it comes. His pin-point and sharp responses has made him one of the most high-profile foreign ministers at the international stage. Respondents in the Whispers’ Survey feel he has represented India well and made the world take note of it and that is why he has been voted as the second best minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cabinet.

A seasoned bureaucrat, he has not shied away in putting India’s perspective on critical issues like the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, Russia-Ukraine war, Israel-Palestine war and the Iran war. He has not minced words in exposing global double-standards when its comes to pressuring India on purchasing crude oil from Russia.

A respondent described him as a deft orsman navigating the nation smoothly through troubled waters of global geopolitics while another highlighted his impeccable track record in foreign affairs.

Here is what some respondents across India had to say on Dr Jaishankar-

Parth Sandeep: Heading the most complex ministry and navigating the nation smoothly through troubled waters of global geopolitics.

Jayesh Shah: Impeccable track record in foreign affairs.

Aryan: Played a pivotal role in strengthening India’s voice and influence on the global stage, while projecting its sovereignty and diplomatic resolve.

Pooja Bhardwaj: One of the reasons I really like this is that he’s blunt, straightforward, and doesn’t sugarcoat India’s position just to please other countries. He’s not afraid to call out Pakistan’s support for terrorism for what it is, and I appreciate that he doesn’t automatically fall in line with American or Western ideological positions when they don’t align with India’s interests. I also like that he approaches foreign policy from a very pragmatic, India-first perspective rather than trying to win approval from the West. He’s willing to have difficult conversations, call out hypocrisy and double standards, and make it clear that India will decide its own strategic priorities.

Dr Raghav Jindal: They are not doing politics and just working.

Himanshu: Because the current world is full of uncertainty and wars. He is handling a tough Washington which is hell bent on creating more problems for India and he is also handling the slow yet steady, cautious reset between India and China. He is handling a crisis from neighboring Bangladesh with the extradition demand of former PM Sheikh Hasina and the new regime which is trying to pressure India. He is also handling the crisis of Strait of Hormuz and Iran with a large number seafarers and labour in the Middle East and Gulf. But he is working hard and his savage replies to the world media and his frankness makes him the OG minister of the cabinet. He is the ultimate and best foreign minister India has ever had.

M R Nouni: As a Minister of External Affairs, he has been doing admirably well in the turbulent geo-political scenario with so many countries acting against the interests of India.

Sanjeev Tandon: His actions and replies are most befitting to new India & its policies.

Shivaali: The way that man handles things even when the international relations of the world are too bad, India is still making its way globally, thanks to Jaishankar.

Vinay: Because of his vision and ability to reply straight to foreign press reporters.

Mr. Mandy: He is just doing a great job. Taking India ahead in front of the world. The work he has done in the last few years is great.

Sourav Shaw: His diplomatic skills and integrity towards the nation is most impressive.

Chinni V S S Kisor Kumar: Brilliant diplomat of the world

Ashwin Sharma: Very strict diplomat.

Sandeep Sharma: He is very articulate.

Prashant: Domain expertise.

Suchetan: Foreign policy is best in his times.

Avinash W: Less talk more action.

Arjun: The only person doing the right thing by managing the external affairs well. (Cause internally everything’s a mess)