Dr Jaishankar ridicules Rahul Gandhi's attempts to campaign 'in foreign countries' saying 'outside support' will not work in India

 "Rahul Gandhi has a habit of criticising the country and making comments on our politics whenever he goes abroad. The world is looking at us and what the world is seeing? Elections are held in the country and sometimes one party wins and at times the other party wins," External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar told a press conference.

"If there is no democracy in the country such changes should not come...2024 ka result toh wohi hoga, hamein pata hei," Jaishankar said.

"If you see all the narratives (against the government), they are made within the country. If a narrative does not work or is less effective, then it is taken abroad. They expect that the outside support will work in India," he said.

Dr Jaishankar also exuded confidence of the NDA retaining power in 2024 parliamentary elections as he said, "2024 ka result toh wohi hoga, hamein pata hei (we know what will happen in 2024)."

On the Congress leader's strong remarks in the US against the Modi government, the Minister said he does not have a problem with whatever is done within India, but asserted that taking internal issues aboard was not appropriate.  

Jaishankar said taking national politics abroad will not enhance Rahul Gandhi's credibility. "There is democracy in the country. You have your politics, we have ours. I have no problem with whatever is done within the country, but I do not think taking national politics out of the country is in national interests. I do not think it will enhance his credibility," he said.

On Rahul Gandhi's criticism of the government's handling of the eastern Ladakh border row, Dr Jaishankar criticised the Congress leader and cited his raising last year of the issue of construction of a bridge by China in Pangong Tso area that was occupied by the neighbouring country in 1962.

There has been a huge controversy on a float depicting murder of late PM Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards being part of about 5 KM long parade in city of Brampton on June 4th.  

Dr Jaishankar asserted in unambiguous words. “Our point is this – they [pro-Khalistan elements] are a very small minority. We do not believe that they represent any significant body of opinion.

"Our plea to these governments is – look, please understand these are marginal elements, they are extremist elements, they are not good for you, they are not good for us, they are not good for the relationship. It’s not a message limited to Canada,” he said.

He said India’s opposition to activities of Khalistani elements was not limited to Canada, as the Indian side has raised the matter with the UK and Australia. He noted that he had criticised British authorities for lack of protection to the Indian mission in London when “Khalistan supporters took down our flag” during a protest in March and there were “some issues in Australia”.

 'Akhand Bharat' map issue not political, : Jaishankar

Dr Jaishankar brushed aside the controversy over the purported 'Akhand Bharat' map in the new Parliament building, saying that it's not a political issue and friendly nations like Nepal have understood India's explanation, however a nation like Pakistan does not have the capability to understand it.

The minister said this in response to a question on the issue being raised in friendly neighbouring countries like Nepal and Bangladesh.

"The (external affairs ministry) spokesperson (Arindam Bagchi) has already explained that the map depicts the spread of the Ashokan empire," Jaishankar said when asked about the controversy over it.

To a supplementary question on whether the explanation remained the same for both friendly nations like Nepal as well as not so friendly nations like Pakistan, the minister quipped, "I don't think it is a political issue. Friendly nations have understood it. Pakistan does not have the capability to understand it."

"The mural in question depicts the spread of the Ashokan empire and the idea of responsible and people-oriented governance that (Emperor Ashoka) adopted and propagated," MEA spokesman Arindam Bagchi had said in response to questions on the map last week.

"That's what the mural and the plaque in front of the mural says. I really don't have anything further to add to that. I'm certainly not going to comment on statements that other political leaders might have made," he had added.