Jaishankar’s take on work-life balance: ‘No off days, wife may...' | Watch

External affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar was speaking at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras

• Jaishankar's work-life balance differs due to nonstop global affairs.
• He stresses India's right to defend itself against neighbors spreading terrorism
• India supports good neighbors with aid, vaccines, and investment

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External affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar on Friday offered a rare glimpse into his approach to work-life balance and he doesn’t follow the typical “Monday-Friday” schedule.

Speaking at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, Jaishankar said global affairs continue round the clock and across time zones. “In my life, I don’t have off days. It’s not like I work Monday to Friday and say Saturday-Sunday I won’t do anything because the world doesn’t accommodate that,” he said, as quoted by ANI.

#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: At IIT Madras, EAM Dr S Jaishankar says, "In my life, I don't have off days. It's not like I work Monday to Friday and say Saturday-Sunday I won't do anything because the world doesn't accommodate that. The world still runs on Saturday-Sunday. My life is very… pic.twitter.com/yxE0mWPV6N

— ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2026

Jaishankar, however, outlined that his life isn’t without balance. According to him, he resorts to building habits and developing hobbies, which help him deal with the rest of the world.

On a lighter note, Jaishankar said that his opinions on work-life balance might not be universally agreed upon at home. “But my wife is sitting here, and she may contradict me,” he stated, drawing chuckles from the audience.

Jaishankar also said India has every right to defend its people when it comes to "bad neighbours" and asserted that a neighbouring country cannot ask New Delhi to share water if it continues to spread terrorism in the country.

At the same time, he said with "good neighbours", India invests, helps and shares, whether it was vaccines during COVID-19 pandemic, fuel and food support during the Ukraine conflict, or the USD four billion assistance to Sri Lanka during its financial crisis.

Without naming Pakistan, Jaishankar said India has every right to defend its people when it comes to "bad neighbours".

"India’s growth is a lifting tide for the region, and most of our neighbours recognise that if India grows, they grow with us. But when it comes to bad neighbours who persist with terrorism, India has every right to defend its people and will do whatever is necessary. You cannot request us to share our water with you and also spread terrorism in our country," he said .

The Union minister said it is important to communicate with other countries to avoid a situation where India’s intentions are misread.