External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday underscored the importance of building a comprehensive narrative for ‘Bharat’, asserting, “Bharat is a statement of independence.”
In an address during the ‘Knowledge India Visitors Programme’ organised by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), the EAM expressed his gratitude for the ICCR’s initiative and commended the dedication of the participants to India.
Jaishankar began by shedding light on the diverse symbolism of the term ‘Bharat’ in various domains.
“The subject, which I thought would be appropriate at this time, is building a Bharat narrative, because in many ways that is exactly what is happening in India. Now, what does it mean to build a Bharat narrative?” said Jaishankar.
“People sometimes see it as politics; sometimes they look at the word play and think that this is some kind of linguistic message but if you really look at the term Bharat, it today actually has multiple symbolisms in different domains,” he added.
The EAM emphasised that beyond politics and linguistic nuances, ‘Bharat’ holds economic significance, encapsulated in the concept of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat.’ This, he noted, reflects resilience, self-sufficiency, and the expression of talent.
“Economically, we would speak about Aatmanirbhar Bharat. So it has a connotation of a certain, resilience, a certain self-sufficiency, a contribution, a talent out there, which is expressing itself,” he also said.
Developmentally, Jaishankar pointed out that ‘Bharat’ signifies a commitment to creating an inclusive, just, and fair society, ensuring that no one is left behind–a true test of development.
“Developmentally today, when we speak about Bharat, it also implies a commitment to creating an inclusive, just, fair society where no one is left behind and that is actually, in many ways, the true test of development,” he added.
Jaishankar also said that politically, Bharat affirms that India’s engagement with the world need not adhere strictly to external frameworks but should allow the nation’s unique personality and qualities to shine.
“Politically, Bharat is a statement of independence. It is a declaration that as India engages the world, it doesn’t have to be done necessarily in terms set by others or in frameworks determined by others; our objective in that engagement is in many ways to actually let our own personality and qualities come out,” the EAM said.
In terms of culture, ‘Bharat’ encompasses languages, traditions, heritage, and practices. Jaishankar highlighted the global image India aspires to project–a ‘Vishwamitra,’ a friend that steps up in crucial moments, defying conventional expectations in international relations.
