Jaishankar Calls Out West For Thinking They Have 'God-Given Right' To Criticise Other Countries

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Sunday (2 April) criticised the US and Germany for commenting on the disqualification of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as MP, saying that the West believes it has the 'God-given right' to weigh in on the internal affairs of other countries.

Jaishankar made the remarks at a 'Meet and Greet' event hosted by MPs PC Mohan and Tejasvi Surya in Cubbon Park, Bengaluru.

Jaishankar identified two reasons behind the West's habit of commenting on India.

The minister said that it is an ingrained behaviour in the West to comment on other countries as if it is their God-given right.

He added that if this behaviour of the West continues, it will lead to reciprocal commenting from other nations, which might not be welcomed.

“It is because the West has a bad habit of commenting on others. They somehow think it is some kind of God-given right. They will have to learn only by experience that if you keep doing this, other people will also start commenting and they will not like it when it happens,” he said, reports Indian Express.

According to the minister, the second reason was that some people from India were inviting the West to comment on the country's internal issues.

“We also need to stop giving generous invitations to the world saying there are problems in India,” Jaishankar said.

“Few are asking America and the world why the countries were doing nothing. So, if somebody from here goes and says why are you standing by and saying nothing, then obviously they are going to comment. Part of the problem is them, part of the problem is us. And I think both need fixing,” he added.

During the event, he also criticised the political parties advocating for a "culture of freebies".

He pointed out that such parties can afford to do so as they do not bear the responsibility of generating resources.

“You can’t run a country on the basis of freebies. Somewhere, somebody has to pay for it. Anybody who is giving a freebie here, is taking away something elsewhere. Freebies are a way of getting quick popularity. It is an irresponsible way,” he said.