New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday took a dig at what he termed as an anti-India ecosystem calling them the “International Khan Market gang”. He criticised this group, describing them as upscale, liberal westernised elites who allegedly disdain India, particularly in an election year, aiming to shape Indian politics for the benefit of a select minority. 

In an exclusive interview with ANI, Jaishankar highlighted a perceived symbiotic relationship between Western media and this group, characterising it as an ‘elitist left-liberal’ thought process that draws cues from Indian media and political systems to undermine India.

External Affairs Minister said, “In the country today, there is a certain thought process, or entitlement process for 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, you know, to the entitled people out here. They are socially comfortable with them. They know them. They feel like they advance similar viewpoints. They are essentially a kind of an elitist left-lib thought process. So there’s a symbiotic relationship between the two,” he remarked.

#WATCH | On Western media reporting about India, EAM Dr S Jaishankar says, “… I want to tell you, there is an international Khan market gang as well. These are people who are sort of linked to the entitled people out here. They are socially comfortable with them… So I think… pic.twitter.com/PzhsXBaIdU

— ANI (@ANI) May 24, 2024

Jaishankar slammed the anti-India ecosystem, criticising their negative portrayal of the country and alleging their endorsement of political parties. He referred to them as the “International Khan Market gang,” stressing their inclination to support domestic entities during low sales periods in the Khan Market.

“When 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 and you can actually see which stories they play up, how do they slant things and in previous elections perhaps even in this one they’ve actually openly endorsed parties and will openly endorse leaders and openly said that this party or this leader is bad for India,” EAM Jaishankar said. 

EAM Jaishankar underscored the gravity of the situation, stating that the actions of the “International Khan Market gang” amount to election influencing and an effort to sway voters. He pointed out that this influence extends beyond a single entity, encompassing the press, universities, think tanks, and potentially some levels of officialdom.

Jaishankar alluded to the concerted and persistent effort to shape the trajectory of Indian politics and influence the decisions of Indian voters.

Jaishankar further elaborated on the persistent nature of these attempts, emphasising that they peak during election periods but continue thereafter as well. He characterised these efforts as aimed at demoralising and delegitimising India, driven by a desire to influence outcomes unfavorable to their interests.

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‘We Do Not Get Riled Up Over Editorials’: Jaishankar

He criticised the Western media for its role in perpetuating such narratives, highlighting the systematic dissemination of negative information through various channels, including foreign and domestic media, think tanks, and university discussions.

Despite these influences, Jaishankar noted that the Indian public largely recognises these tactics for what they are, particularly during election campaigns.

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Talking about the 26/11 attack, and recalled a period where the decision to exercise restraint was lauded by the Western media, considering it a “mature decision.” He highlighted the praise received from outlets such as the New York Times and the Washington Post, which hailed the decision by the Indian government at the time, as per ANI.

Jaishankar refuted claims that the Ministry of External Affairs becomes agitated over editorials, asserting that their role is to engage in contestation, persuasion, and communication. He said,  “I don’t think we get riled up. But it is our job to contest, to convince and where necessary to communicate”.

“If somebody, some newspaper or some medium whatever you know has a narrative and that narrative is unfair, if that narrative is untruthful, and we often encounter this, if it is very, very slanted, I do not think we should hesitate to call it out,” he said. 

He added, “It is not diplomacy to turn the other cheek. It’s weakness. Don’t be confused. Diplomacy is not continuously taking blows from people who mean you ill, you know.” Jaishankar said that diplomacy is to assess the situation and do what is in the interest of your country. 

Jaishankar emphasised the importance of challenging such narratives, stating the need to call them out. He expressed incredulity at recent rankings on press freedom, describing them as “ridiculous.”

Jaishankar highlighted the concerning fact that in the previous year, India was ranked below Afghanistan, urging journalists in the country to be outraged by such comparisons.

Jaishankar responded to comments from the US State Department regarding democracy being under threat in India, particularly highlighting concerns about Chief Ministers being incarcerated.

He emphasised the principle that the law operates independently of political cycles, asserting that politicians are not exempt from legal processes simply because of impending elections.

 “We’re not the only country where this is happening. You can see it in other parts of the world as well. So if a Chief Minister or any other…I mean, if anybody has done something which warrants a legal process, There is no way you can stop it because there is a political compulsion to do so,” he told ANI.