External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, speaking at an event in Geneva, delivered a pointed message on the importance of hard work and long-term commitment in the context of India’s infrastructural development under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government. In a subtle but clear reference to opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, Jaishankar critiqued the idea that development can be achieved easily or through quick fixes, encapsulated in Gandhi's campaign slogan "khata-khat." This slogan, popularized by Gandhi during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, implied the promise of an effortless transfer of money into the accounts of women, should Congress win power. Jaishankar, however, countered that true progress requires sustained effort and diligence, saying, “Life is not 'khata-khat,' life is hard work and diligence.”
Addressing the Indian community in Switzerland, Jaishankar elaborated that building a country's infrastructure and human resources takes time and persistent labor, something that cannot be achieved overnight or with a simplistic approach. His message was a broader reflection on the efforts undertaken by the Modi administration to revitalize India’s economic and developmental framework, particularly through initiatives that prioritize long-term infrastructural growth and manufacturing capabilities.
Jaishankar's remarks also addressed the necessity of strengthening India's manufacturing sector, arguing that no nation can become a major global power without robust manufacturing. He underscored the importance of technology, stating that technological advancement is closely tied to a strong manufacturing base. "And there are...people who say that we are incapable of it, we should not even attempt it. Can you actually be a major power in the world without manufacturing? Because a major power needs technology. Nobody can develop technology without developing manufacturing," Jaishankar asserted, signaling India's need to pursue a comprehensive, long-term vision for industrial and technological development.
The exchange between Jaishankar and Gandhi reflects deeper ideological differences in how the two political figures view economic growth and development in India. In a recent interaction at the University of Texas, Gandhi highlighted China and Vietnam’s success in avoiding unemployment crises by becoming global production hubs. He argued that India and many Western nations suffer from widespread unemployment because they have not prioritized manufacturing to the same extent. This line of argument contrasts with Jaishankar’s emphasis on the painstaking process of infrastructure building and governance.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also leveraged Gandhi’s "khata-khat" slogan to critique the Congress party’s track record, particularly during the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) years, accusing the opposition of failing to deliver on substantive development. The slogan, while catchy and widely circulated on social media, became a tool for both political sides to highlight contrasting narratives: one focused on quick promises and the other on the hard realities of governance and nation-building.
Jaishankar’s broader point underscores the Modi government’s strategy to position India as a self-reliant, manufacturing-oriented economy with a focus on long-term growth, rather than relying on populist measures or instant solutions to complex challenges. This event, set in Geneva, was not only an opportunity to address the Indian diaspora but also to reinforce India's evolving geopolitical and economic stance on the global stage.
