Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s resolve to not allow cross-border terrorism be normalised has helped in shaping India’s Pakistan policy since 2014, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said here on Tuesday. Making this assertion, he also said Modi is perceived abroad as ''quintessentially Indian'' and his intuitive feeling for diplomacy has led him to form a connection with foreign countries and their leaders.
Highlighting these facets at a function in Delhi University, Jaishankar read some excerpts from the chapter written by him in the book 'Modi@20: Dreams Meet Delivery.'
Jaishankar said, "When I first met him (PM Modi) in China in 2011, I was the ambassador. Unlike many other chief ministers, he specifically sought political briefing.”
"I recall his (Modi's) emphasis that on the issue of terrorism and sovereignty, we needed to make sure that we speak with one voice abroad, especially in China.
"When it comes to terrorism, especially of cross-border nature, he has been crystal clear that he would not allow it to be normalised. This determination has shaped our Pakistan policy since 2014," Jaishankar added.
The minister highlighted that the Prime Minister looms large on the world stage as his policies and initiatives have had an impact. "Peers perceive him as quintessentially Indian and respond accordingly.
His language, metaphor, appearances and mannerism define a persona that a world has come to recognise," he said, reading another paragraph from the book "Prime Minister Modi's intuitive feeling for diplomacy has led him to find connect with foreign countries and their leaders with India," he added. Jaishankar was the chief guest at a special discussion organised by the Delhi University on the book. Speaking about the book, Jaishankar noted that a large part of the book has been written by people outside the government.
"Books are written about prime ministers. That is not unusual....But to have a book where sitting foreign minister and Home Minister (Amit Shah), National Security Advisor (Ajit Doval) have written about the sitting prime minister, that is unusual,” he asserted.
Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh lauded the prime minister, saying India is lucky to have a leader who commits less and delivers more. Published by Rupa Publications India, ‘Modi@20: Dreams Meet Delivery' has contributions from Sudha Murty, Sadhguru, Nandan Nilekani and Amish Tripathi, among others.