Renowned Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan extended his commendation to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar for his recent articulation on India's diplomatic stance, particularly lauding the assertion that "India is not a bully." Expressing his approval, the veteran actor uttered a resounding "well done" in response to the Union Minister's statement.
Taking to X on Monday, Bachchan shared a video featuring Jaishankar and appended the caption, "WAH .. !!! well said Sir," signifying his endorsement of the minister's viewpoint.
Jaishankar's remarks come amidst an ongoing diplomatic spat between India and the Maldives, a development that has drawn significant attention to regional dynamics. Speaking at an event on March 2 during the promotion of his book titled 'Why Bharat Matters,' Jaishankar rebuffed the notion of India's purported bullying tactics, juxtaposing the nation's aid initiatives with the conduct typically associated with "big bullies."
The minister's commentary was implicitly directed at Maldivian President Mohamad Muizzu's earlier declaration in January, wherein he vehemently opposed any perceived attempts at coercion directed towards the island nation.
Furthermore, Jaishankar underscored India's multifaceted engagement with neighboring nations, emphasizing the substantial upsurge in trade and investment with countries such as Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and the Maldives over recent years.
The ongoing diplomatic imbroglio escalated when the Maldivian President announced last month the phased withdrawal of Indian military personnel stationed in the country, a move that further complicated bilateral relations between the two nations. The phased withdrawal, set to commence before March 10 with the subsequent evacuation of remaining Indian troops by May 10, injected fresh uncertainty into an already strained situation.
