Nationalism doesn't cause tensions with Muslims: Jaishankar

In India, nationalism is a "positive

word", and this nationalism does not cause tensions with the Muslim

community, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said.

In an

interview with Le Monde, the EAM, to a question that PM Modi has the

"image of a nationalist leader" and if he accepts it, said that each

country has a "different understanding of nationalism, a different

history".

"In the

United States, it has an isolationist connotation. In Asia, at least in India,

nationalism is a positive word. Nationalists have stood up against

colonization, against the domination of the West. There is much to be done with

the restoration of identity, of cultural trust. So yes, there is a sense of

nationalism in our country.

"They

say that the country is doing well, not only are we better perceived, but we

can do more for the world. In India, a good nationalist is an internationalist,

it is not contradictory," he said, adding " The problem is that you

(the West) apply your concepts to us."

To a question

on "doesn''t this nationalism cause tensions with the muslim

minority?", he said: "No. It is my country that defines my

nationality, not my religion, nor my caste, nor my language.

"Here in

Europe, the link between language, religion and nationality is stronger. The

concept of nation is different. In India, we are in a sense a civilization

state, with natural, linguistic, ethnic and religious diversity. We have never

considered uniformity as a necessity or an aspiration.

"There

are few places in the world where you will see so many people with so many

beliefs co-existing. There is a different understanding and appreciation of the

diversity of Europe."

Again he

stressed: "You (the West) see us through your prism, you attribute to us a

behaviour that you practice yourself. But we are not you!"

He said that

with the progress of democracy and educational standards in India, many more

people are participating in the political debate. "Today, politics in

India is less westernized, less elitist. We are moving more towards what India

really is, towards a style more rooted in Indian culture. That''s a good thing.

The western world sees this as nationalism, it''s not so."