External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar stated on Saturday that he simply implements Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “vision,” comparing his role to Lord Hanuman’s service to Lord Ram in executing his divine mission. Jaishankar, recognized for his precise and witty responses, addressed a question at a Pune, Maharashtra event about whether one “Jaishankar” is sufficient for India. Rather than providing a direct answer, the external affairs minister ‘corrected’ the premise of the question, stating, “Your question was a wrong question. You should have asked me: there is one Modi. Because ultimately, Shri Hanuman finally serves (Lord Ram)… So bear it in mind.”
#WATCH | Pune, Maharashtra: When asked if one Jaishankar is enough for the country, EAM Dr S Jaishankar says, "Your question is wrong. You should have asked me: there is one Modi. Because ultimately, shri Hanuman finally serves… Countries are defined by leaders and vision.… pic.twitter.com/qtIKI8pEUt
— ANI (@ANI) December 20, 2025
“Countries are defined by leaders and vision. There are people who execute it. But ultimately, today it is the vision, the leadership, and the confidence, that is what makes the difference,” he continued to strong applause from the audience.
Jaishankar, who held the position of India’s foreign secretary from January 2015 to 2018, has served as the nation’s external affairs minister since May 2019, following PM Narendra Modi’s second consecutive electoral victory.
The BJP leader and Rajya Sabha member was participating in the 22nd convocation ceremony of Symbiosis International (Deemed University) in Pune.
He addressed the graduating class, saying, “The old stereotypes about India are steadily being put behind. But this evolution in our image is an undeniable reality. Hard figures vouch for this transformation. Among them, the growing number of global capability centres in India, the increasing demand for Indian talent and skills abroad, and the individual successes of people. And this extends equally to us as a collective. Perhaps more than others, India is today defined by its talent and by its skill. All that has helped to shape our national brand.”
EAM advocates for expanding Make in India program
Jaishankar also urged “doubling down” on the Make in India program to ensure Indian products achieve recognition internationally.
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“Add to that design in India, research in India, innovate in India, or deliver from India, and the same holds true for services as well. We have to upgrade our infrastructure, develop our human resources, and adopt and pursue the right policies. But more importantly, it requires vision, it requires leadership, and it requires execution, all of which we fortunately have today,” he stated.