When S. Jaishankar became India’s External Affairs Minister in 2019, it was seen as a sign of the special trust Prime Minister Narendra Modi placed in him. Over the past seven years, Jaishankar has been at the forefront of India’s foreign policy and is often credited with shaping Modi’s global image.
Rarely has Modi traveled abroad without him, but this time was different. From August 29 to September 1, Modi visited Japan and China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, while Jaishankar was notably absent.
Social media in India quickly filled with questions about his absence, particularly since Jaishankar had previously served as ambassador to both countries. Journalist Geeta Mohan posted on X (formerly Twitter) that sources told her Jaishankar was unwell, making this his first missed foreign trip with Modi.
However, the Ministry of External Affairs has not released any official statement about his health. Meanwhile, Jaishankar’s account continued to share photos of his meetings and a phone call with Finland’s foreign minister, raising further curiosity.
Indrani Bagchi, CEO of the Ananta Centre think tank, noted that while his absence raises questions, it may be premature to draw conclusions. She argued the government should have clarified the situation, given the public’s right to know.
Analysts also highlighted Jaishankar’s recent tough stance on China, where he openly rejected any single-country dominance in Asia. His statements have drawn sharp criticism from Chinese media, which accused him of siding too closely with the United States.
Former External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said it was unusual for the foreign minister not to accompany the prime minister at such an important summit, stressing that the public deserves transparency.
Experts remain divided: some suggest India’s foreign policy focus on the US has created challenges, while others insist Jaishankar’s absence should not be overinterpreted. For now, the lack of clarity has left room for speculation about the real reason behind Jaishankar’s absence from the SCO summit.
