Trump represents thought process, don’t demonise him, says Jaishankar

Foreign secretary S Jaishankar says US President Donald Trump, who is under attack over his controversial immigration policy, should not be “demonised”.

Foreign secretary S Jaishankar on Tuesday said US President Donald Trump, who is under attack over his controversial immigration policy, should not be “demonised”.

Foreign secretary S Jaishankar said India has to play a larger role on the global scene. (HT File)

“Don’t demonise Trump, analyse Trump. He represents a thought process. It’s not a momentary expression,” Jaishankar said during an interactive session at the Gateway House dialogue in Mumbai.

Trump has been facing heat over his controversial immigration policy after he put a travel ban on citizens from seven Muslim majority countries and some other decisions of his administration, including those relating to H-1B visa which caused concern in India too.

Jaishankar, who delivered an address on “Political change and economic uncertainties” at the event co-hosted by the MEA and Gateway House, also said India has to play a larger role on the global scene.

“At a time when horizons of a lot of major countries are getting narrower... If the major (countries) are pulling back there is a space out there and it is in our interest to use that space. In my view, we should be looking at more powered position in international forum,” he said.