In a critique of the anti-India ecosystem and its negative portrayal of the country, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated that just as there is a “Khan Market Gang” in India, there is also an international version, which he dubbed the “International Khan Market Gang.
In an exclusive interview with ANI, Jaishankar said, “In the country today, there is a certain thought process, or entitlement process, which the metaphor of ‘Khan Market Gang’ is a very good description. I want to tell you there is an international Khan Market Gang as well.” “These are people, who are sort of linked to entitled people out here. They are socially comfortable with them, they know them, they feel like them,” he added.
Further taking a jibe at the anti-India ecosystem, the EAM said, “The sales are down in the domestic Khan Market, the international Khan Market Gang feels like ‘I need to pep up these guys and give them support’.”
Jaishankar explained that regarding the Prajwal Revanna case, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) received a request from the Karnataka government on May 21. He emphasized that the MEA operates in accordance with the law, hence the timing of the request influenced the actions taken regarding Revanna’s passport and departure.
“The MEA got the request from Karnataka only on 21st May…people were saying a lot of things to the press. I don’t know how others, other state governments, function, we at least in MEA function as per the law,” he added.
Jaishankar showed strong confidence in the Modi government’s prospects for reelection, dismissing the Opposition’s prediction of a BJP defeat in the South and a diminished presence in the North.
“For us (BJP), it would be dakshin mein double (twice in South), and for the Opposition, I would say uttar mein even more trouble,” he stated.
Jaishankar countered claims by Congress and other Opposition parties that the BJP government opposes the Constitution. He pointed out that during Congress’s tenure, approximately 80 amendments were made to the Constitution. He also noted that the Constitution does not endorse faith-based reservation, criticizing the implementation of such reservations while claiming to respect the Constitution. For the full podcast, you can find External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s interview on the ANI YouTube channel.