Indian External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar’s compelling speech on the ‘Era of Vishwa Mitra’ has emerged as one of the United Nations’ most-viewed videos of 2023. The address, highlighting India’s commitment to global partnerships and diplomacy, resonated with audiences worldwide.
Jaishankar’s ‘Era of Vishwa Mitra’ speech outlined India’s vision for fostering collaboration and mutual understanding on the global stage. The term ‘Vishwa Mitra’ translates to ‘Friend of the World,’ emphasizing India’s aspiration to play a crucial role in promoting international cooperation.
Citing India’s membership of diverse country groupings — including the Quad (India, Australia, Japan and the U.S.), or expanded BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India , China, South Africa) and I2U2 (India, Israel, the U.S. and the UAE), Mr. Jaishankar argued that India had moved from the non-aligned era to one of ‘Vishwa Mitra (a friend to the world)‘.
The Minister highlighted India’s role during its G-20 presidency, advocating for reforms in the U.N. and other multilateral institutions. He called for the inclusion of the African Union in the G-20, reflecting India’s commitment to fostering diversity in international cooperation.
Amidst the backdrop of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Jaishankar addressed pressing issues, including the prevention of “vaccine apartheid” and the recognition of historical responsibilities in climate action. He also tackled the explosive allegation by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau regarding India’s involvement in the assassination of a Khalistani separatist leader in British Columbia.
Jaishankar urged against allowing political convenience to determine responses to terrorism and extremism, making implicit references to countries like Pakistan, China, and Canada. He emphasized the importance of respecting territorial integrity and non-interference in internal affairs without cherry-picking.
The most-watched UN video (at the moment) is “Security Council rejects Russian resolution on Gaza.” Jaishankar’s address has secured the 8th position on the list.
