S Jaishankar Slams ‘Western Media’ For Negative Portrayal of Indian Elections

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar criticized the Western media’s portrayal of Indian elections as overly negative, stating that countries resorting to legal battles over election outcomes are offering advice on conducting polls. He emphasized the entrenched mindset of Western countries, claiming they feel entitled to influence due to their historical dominance.

“They [Western countries] want to influence us because they believe they have affected the world for decades…Western nations even view their impact extending two centuries,” Jaishankar said during the Bangla launch of his book “Why Bharat Matters. How is it possible to just break such deeply rooted habits?”

According to Jaishankar, the Indian ruling class is favoured by the Western media, which gets upset when the electorate expresses dissenting opinions. In response to US and Canadian accusations of meddling in polls, he questioned the negative coverage of India in several newspapers, blaming it on a mismatch between their impression of the country and reality.

Furthermore, Jaishankar accused the Western media of openly endorsing candidates and political parties, noting their extensive experience in exerting influence over global affairs. He described it as a “mind game,” highlighting the irony of nations resorting to legal avenues for election results lecturing India on electoral conduct.

Jaishankar emphasised the project’s regional benefits in response to the US warning of possible penalties following India’s commitment to handle the Chabahar Port in Iran. He cautioned against taking it too literally, pointing out that the US had previously acknowledged the port’s wider significance. In response to concerns about possible sanctions, he underlined the need of having efficient communication, citing the US’s prior recognition of Chabahar’s importance.