Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has strongly asserted India's sovereign right to make its own decisions, free from external dictates, in response to recent claims made by former US President Donald Trump. Addressing the 2024 batch of officers from the Indian Defence Estates Service (IDES) at V-P Enclave on Saturday, Dhankhar emphasized that "there is no power on the planet to dictate India how to handle its affairs".
Dhankhar's statement comes amid renewed controversy surrounding Trump's repeated assertions that he brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan in May. The Vice President's remarks, though not directly naming Trump, served as a clear message that India's policies are determined by its own leadership. He cautioned against being swayed by "narratives outside," stressing that "all decisions in this country, as a sovereign nation, are taken by its leadership".
Dhankhar highlighted India's commitment to peaceful coexistence and diplomatic engagement within the global community. He acknowledged that India operates within a "comity of nations," engaging in mutual respect and diplomatic dialogues. However, he firmly reiterated that India remains a sovereign entity, ultimately responsible for its own choices.
Drawing an analogy from cricket, Dhankhar advised against reacting to every "bad ball" or misleading narrative. He suggested that strategic restraint and confident decision-making are crucial for maintaining national sovereignty. He stated that "One who scores good runs on the cricket pitch always leaves bad balls. They are tempting, but not attempted. And those who attempt, you have safe gloves of the wicket keeper and someone in the gully".
Dhankhar also alluded to "Operation Sindoor," India's response to the Pahalgam terror attack, emphasizing that it "is not over" and continues in other forms. He defended the decision to halt strikes after launching the operation on May 7th, explaining that India is a peaceful nation rooted in the philosophies of Buddha, Mahavira, and Gandhi. He stated that "We do not wish to kill even living beings. How can we target human beings? The idea was to generate sanity, generate a sense of humanity and the lesson has been learnt hard”.
Furthermore, Dhankhar touched upon the importance of good governance, responsible civil service, cultural pride, and youth empowerment. He critiqued the increasing commercialization of education, advocating for a return to the traditional values of the Gurukul system. He praised India's youth as the nation's greatest asset and urged the officer trainees to uphold India's civilizational ethos while championing sustainable and inclusive growth.
Dhankhar highlighted India's demographic advantage, noting that 65% of the population is below 35 years of age, making the median age of the country 28. He also celebrated India's progress in infrastructure, digital connectivity and social development. He stated that "Viksit Bharat is not our dream. It is not even our destination now. We are marching in that direction".
The Vice President's address serves as a strong reaffirmation of India's independent global posture and its commitment to making sovereign decisions based on its own interests and values.
