Does India need another Jaishankar? EAM invokes 'Lord Hanuman' analogy on leadership | Watch

EAM Dr S Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday highlighted the importance of strong leadership, drawing a parallel with Lord Hanuman to underline how nations are ultimately shaped by vision and direction at the top.

Speaking at an event in Pune, Jaishankar responded to a question on whether India needs “only one Jaishankar.” He pushed back at the premise, saying the question itself was misplaced.

“Your question is wrong. You should have asked me: there is one Modi,” Jaishankar said, as quoted by news agency ANI. Referring to Hindu tradition, he added, “Because ultimately, Shri Hanuman finally serves.”

#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

Emphasising that leadership plays a defining role, the External Affairs Minister said while many people may be involved in executing responsibilities, it is leadership and vision that make the real difference. “Countries are defined by leaders and vision. There are people who execute it. But ultimately, it is the vision, the leadership, and the confidence that makes the difference today,” he said.

Jaishankar, who served as India’s foreign secretary from January 2015 to 2018 and has been External Affairs Minister since May 2019, also spoke about the evolving global political landscape.

Describing the current international order as similar to coalition politics, he said alignments are fluid and constantly changing. “In our country, there was an era of coalition politics. The world today is like coalition politics. There is no majority of anyone. No coalition enjoys a majority,” he said, as quoted by news agency PTI.

He explained that this has created a multipolar world where partnerships shift based on issues and interests. “This is completely a multipolar world where there are multiple partners,” Jaishankar said.

Outlining India’s approach in such a scenario, he stressed the need for flexibility guided by national interest. “….we have to be very nimble. Sometimes, you are with someone with one issue and with another on another issue. All the while, I have one principle — what is helping my country. Whatever helps my country, that would be my choice,” the Union Minister said.

*With Agency Inputs