For Nehru, it was China first, India second: EAM Jaishankar in Ahmedabad

April 02, 2024
Ahmedabad Gujarat

Ahmedabad: During his address at the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Ahmedabad, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar criticized former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru for prioritizing China over India, particularly in relation to India’s stance on a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

Jaishankar said, “In 1950, (then home minister) Sardar Patel had warned the then PM Nehru about China. Patel had told Nehru that today for the first time we are facing a situation on two fronts (Pakistan and China) which India had never faced earlier. Patel also told Nehru that he does not believe what the Chinese are saying as their intentions seem different and we should take precautions.”

“Nehru’s stand was completely dissenting. He replied to Patel that you are unnecessarily suspicious of the Chinese… Also, it is impossible for anybody to attack us across the Himalayas… A few years later there was a debate about the UN, should India be given a UN seat at that time? So Nehru’s position at that time was he said, we deserve a seat, but first we must ensure China gets a seat. So today we are talking of India first. There was a time when the PM of India talked about China first,” he further said.

Jaishankar praised the current Narendra Modi-led government for addressing inherited challenges effectively over the past decade. He emphasized the importance of acknowledging past mistakes while discussing current issues, particularly regarding India’s boundaries and the resolution regarding POK.

Regarding India’s bid for a permanent seat at the UNSC, Jaishankar expressed optimism during a separate event in Rajkot, noting that diligent efforts are necessary to secure this position and that the international momentum is increasingly in India’s favor. He urged heightened efforts in this direction. DeshGujarat

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