WATCH: EAM S Jaishankar explains meaning of 'Bharat narrative'

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday said that the term Bharat has multiple symbolisms in different domains, be it economically, development wise, politically or culturally.

Addressing ICCR's Knowledge India Visitors' Programme on Monday, Jaishankar said, "...The subject which would be appropriate at this time I thought would be building a Bharat narrative. In many ways that is what is happening in India. What does it mean building a Bharat narrative? People sometimes see it as politics, sometimes they look at the word play and think this is some kind of linguistic message. But if you look at the term Bharat, and I am not getting into the origins of the word or the history of the concept. It today actually has multiple symbolisms in different domains."

He said when we speak about Bharat in terms of economics, we speak about a Atmanirbhar Bharat.

"So it has a connotation of a certain resilience, certain self sufficiency, a contribution, a talent out there, which is expressing itself," added Jaishankar.

He said developmentally today, when we speak about Bharat, it also implies commitment about creating an inclusive, just, fair society where no one is left behind.

More from India

"And that is actually in many ways the true test of development," added the minister.

Jaishankar said politically Bharat is a statement of independence.

"It's a declaration that as India engages the world, it doesn't have to be done necessarily in terms set by others or in frameworks determined by others that are objective in that engagement, is in many ways to actually let our own personality and our own innate qualities come out. So, it is in ways an expression of the persona of the society," he said.

He said then there is of course the cultural domain.

"When we speak about Bharat, it could be speaking about our languages, our traditions, our heritage, our practices," said Jaishankar.

Lastly, when it comes to the world, he said the Bharat that we seek to set the narrative about is a Bharat which would like to be perceived as a Vishwamitra.

"A friend which at crucial moments has really stepped up in a way in which countries and societies normally don't do in international relations," said the minister.

Talking about G20, Jaishankar said that at a time when the world is so deeply divided, not everybody expected us to succeed in our presidency.

"At G20, we did it with a cause and commitment for the global South... During the G20, we showed a culture that can harmonise. At a time when the world is so deeply divided, not everybody expected us to succeed in our G20 presidency. We were able to find a bridge between the East and the West and the North and the South," said Jaishankar.

He said Bharat today is linked to how we look ahead.

"Typically, governments look at the term that awaits them. The thinking of a government runs from an election to an election. And in that country, at best that is a five year plan that you can have. Today, we are talking about an Amrit Kaal. A 25-year vision where we actually think that we would see a remarkable, transformation in our country. We will be able to address a lot of historical problems while establishing our place in the international order," he added.

With inputs from agencies