'Many So-Called Friends Will Try To Elbow Us Out Of The Room': Smriti Irani's Subtle Geopolitics Message

Last Updated:August 21, 2025, 21:51 IST

On India's re-engagement with China, former cabinet minister Smriti Irani said the move to consider "prospective neighbourhood" is "worthy of applause"

Former cabinet minister Smriti Irani at the News18 SheShakti 2025 event on August 21. (Image: News18)

Former cabinet minister Smriti Irani on Thursday lauded India’s leadership for being “pragmatic, internationally stoic and forceful" in the face of the presently “complex" geopolitical scenario.

Irani, who was speaking at the News18 SheShakti 2025, especially mentioned the statement by the ministry of external affairs (MEA) about the Prime Minister’s leadership on the purchase of Russian oil. The Trump administration has imposed a 50 percent tariff on India over crude oil purchase, but India stood firm and said it is an “unjustified and unreasonable" move.

She said India is mindful of the geopolitical intent to push around a country as large as India as a consumption base. 

“Looking at the geopolitical order, especially from the perspective of economy and technology, we will be faced with many so-called friends who’ll try to elbow us out of the room, who are too used to a subjugated lot. So what you see around us is a recalibration of geopolitical forces," Irani said.

She said the Indian leadership is playing its cards well and is not waiting in the wings for some repercussions for it to respond.

“…They’ve been very pragmatic, very internationally stoic and they’ve been very forceful in their response specially the MEA statement on the PM’s leadership on the purchase of Russian oil, and I believe even the recalibration of neighbourhood ties speaks volumes," she said referring to India’s re-engagement with China.

Irani further said the move to consider “prospective neighbourhood" is “worthy of applause". She said India has negotiators who are not perturbed by the breach in ties, which is compliment to the leadership and the negotiating team.

“I believe that repositioning or relooking at the prospective neighbourhood is worthy of applause. The fact that we’re playing our cards close to the chest, the fact that we have negotiators who’re not perturbed by just the loudness of the breach of relationships, speaks volumes and is a great compliment to our leadership and negotiating team," she added.

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August 21, 2025, 21:51 IST

News india 'Many So-Called Friends Will Try To Elbow Us Out Of The Room': Smriti Irani's Subtle Geopolitics Message

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