EAM Jaishankar Witty Retort to Dinner Dilemma Involving Kim Jong Un and George Soros

During a recent interview, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar showcased his wit when posed with a politically loaded question. The interviewer asked him to choose between dining with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un or Hungarian-American billionaire George Soros. Without missing a beat, Jaishankar humorously deflected the query by saying, “I think this is Navratri, I am fasting.” His response elicited laughter from the audience and quickly gained traction on social media platforms.

The question was significant given the controversial nature of the figures involved. George Soros, a well-known critic of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has often been accused by Modi’s party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), of funding initiatives that undermine India’s stability and facilitate foreign influence. Kim Jong Un, in contrast, represents a distinct set of diplomatic challenges.

Jaishankar has previously critiqued Soros ardently. Earlier this year, Jaishankar rebuked Soros following the latter’s comments about Modi’s accountability in the Adani-Hindenburg affair. During an address, Soros speculated that the business issues faced by Gautam Adani could weaken Modi’s political position, spurring scrutiny. Jaishankar, in response, labeled Soros as “old, rich, dangerous, and opinionated,” suggesting that his influence attempts serve self-interest rather than the broader public good.

At the 2023 Munich Security Conference, Soros forecasted that the fallout from allegations by Hindenburg Research against Adani’s conglomerate—accusing it of market manipulation—could destabilize India’s investment environment. He implied this could lead to a “democratic revival” in India. Jaishankar dismissed Soros’s claims, contending that individuals like Soros value elections only if they yield their preferred outcomes, thus criticizing Soros for purportedly championing an open society while pursuing personal strategic objectives.

The exchange signals Jaishankar’s continuing vocal stance on matters of international interest, particularly in scenarios where India’s internal politics intersect with global narratives. He is slated to visit Pakistan for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting from October 15 to 16.