Foreign minister Jaishankar blends the fine art of diplomacy & assertiveness. In the recently concluded SCO summit at Samarkand, Prime Minister Modi met Erdogan on the sidelines and discussed bilateral relations between the two countries. But the Turkish president was back to his old ways, raising controversial issues at the UNGA.

In an obvious reference to Erdogan’s rants over Kashmir, Jaishankar staved off attempts to hyphenate India and Pakistan over Kashmir. Call it ‘*** for tat’ diplomacy, the FM had a one on one meeting with his Turkish counterpart and discussed with him the festering Cyprus problem and sought an early solution.

Being a seasoned diplomat, Jaishankar knows too well that in international politics, one cannot shut the door on the face. At the same time, he is unafraid to speak. After virtually ignoring the Chinese foreign minister on his last visit to New Delhi. Jaishankar met **** Yi in NY and discussed a wide range of issues.

In an answer to a question at the Globesec forum in Slovakia, Jaishankar reiterated that Europe has to grow out of the mindset that its problems are the world’s problems but the world’s problems are not Europe’s problems.

The crowning glory for both Jaishankar and Modi would be to mediate between Russia and Ukraine & bring an end to the conflict where there are no clear winners.

Known as Europe’s bread basket and the world’s food basket, Ukraine is in tatters while Russia’s economy has taken a beating. Ironically, the world is bearing the brunt.

The war must be stopped. A great opportunity for India to take leadership position and herald an era of peace.