Lord Krishna and Hanuman Were the Greatest Diplomats, Says S Jaishankar at Pune Book Festival

Mumbai: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday strongly pitched for recognising India’s own civilisational traditions of strategy and statecraft, saying that Lord Krishna and Lord Hanuman were the “greatest diplomats” described in Indian scriptures.

Speaking at the Pune Book Festival, Jaishankar said Indian epics like the Mahabharata and the Ramayana offer deep lessons in diplomacy, intelligence gathering, negotiation and psychological strategy—concepts that are often overlooked in modern strategic discourse.

“One is the great diplomat of the story of the Mahabharata, and the other is the great diplomat of the Ramayana,” Jaishankar said, referring to Lord Krishna and Lord Hanuman.

India’s Scriptures Are Rich in Strategy and Statecraft

Jaishankar said he was frustrated by the dominance of Western narratives in strategic studies, which often claim that India lacks a tradition of strategic thinking.

“Most of the textbooks you get are written by Western people. I was tired of reading again and again that India has no tradition of strategy and statecraft,” he said.

Emphasising the need to popularise Indian concepts and terminology globally, the minister added that India’s culture, beliefs and epics contain sophisticated thinking on power, diplomacy and governance that deserve international recognition.

“We don’t use our own terms, and the world doesn’t know our own terms either. That is a great injustice to our culture,” he said.

Lord Hanuman: Intelligence, Diplomacy and Psychological Warfare

Explaining why he considers Lord Hanuman a master diplomat, Jaishankar detailed Hanuman’s role in the Ramayana as a textbook case of intelligence-led diplomacy.

“Hanuman was sent to Sri Lanka to get information. He gathered intelligence, met Maa Sita, boosted her morale, assessed Ravan’s court, escorted Vibhishan, and psychologically defeated Ravan,” he said.

Calling Hanuman’s mission far more than what was assigned, Jaishankar added:

“He was given one job and he did ten—beyond expectations. Which bigger diplomat can you find?”

Lord Krishna and the Mahabharata’s Diplomatic Complexity

Jaishankar also highlighted how Lord Krishna’s role in the Mahabharata reflects advanced diplomatic skills, strategic alliances and negotiation tactics.

“We think the Mahabharata is about power and family struggle. We don’t naturally think about its complexity—the tactics, strategy and game plan,” he said.

Multipolar World Is Like Coalition Politics

Drawing parallels between ancient diplomacy and modern geopolitics, Jaishankar said today’s world resembles coalition politics, where no single power dominates.

“No one has a majority. Coalitions are formed, deals are struck. A multipolar world is like having many parties,” he explained.

He stressed that India’s guiding principle in such a world remains constant:

“Whatever helps my country, that is my choice.”

“Countries Are Defined by Visionary Leaders”

When asked whether one Jaishankar is enough for the country, the minister quipped that the question should instead focus on leadership.

“Countries are defined by leaders and vision. There are people who execute it, but ultimately it is leadership, confidence and vision that make the difference,” he said, indirectly crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

On Brain Drain and Global Indian Talent

Addressing concerns about brain drain, Jaishankar said Indian talent today enjoys strong global demand and reputation.

“There is today a global brand of Indians. It’s a good brand,” he said.

He cited recent discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, noting Russia’s interest in attracting Indian professionals.

“Young people should take advantage of it. Look at the world as a global workplace,” Jaishankar advised.

Blending Ancient Wisdom With Modern Diplomacy

Jaishankar’s remarks underline a broader push to reframe India’s global narrative, blending ancient wisdom with contemporary foreign policy. By spotlighting figures like Lord Krishna and Lord Hanuman, he argued that India has always practised diplomacy—long before it was defined by modern textbooks.

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