Nearly A Month After He Was Sworn-In, EAM S Jaishankar Formally Joins BJP In Presence Of JP Nadda

The External Affairs Minister (EAM) Subrahmanyam Jaishankar formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party today (24 June) in the presence of the party’s working president JP Nadda at the Parliament House, reports Hindustan Times.

Jaishankar was sworn-in as cabinet minister on 31 May and was given the charge of Ministry of External Affairs. He succeeded the former EAM Sushma Swaraj under whom he served as India’s foreign secretary.

The BJP is likely to field Jaishankar, who is not a member of parliament (MP), as its candidate for the Rajya Sabha from Gujarat. It should be noted that a minister of the central government is required to be a MP within six months of his swearing-in.

The 64-year-old minister, known for his skillful diplomacy, tough negotiating and strategic vision, has also served as the Indian ambassador to the United States from 2013-15.

Jaishankar is regarded as a close aide of Prime Minister Modi and was also hailed as his 'crisis manager' in matters of foreign affairs. He played a key role in resolving the crisis following the Chinese incursion in Ladakh’s Depsang and Doklam stand-off, handling the tough negotiations with Beijing.