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S.M. Krishna's tenure as India's Minister of External Affairs, from 2009 to 2012, was a complex tapestry woven with threads of diplomatic triumph and occasional public missteps. His career, marked by both significant accomplishments and memorable gaffes, offers a fascinating case study in the complexities of high-level political leadership. Appointed at the age of 77, he brought a wealth of experience, honed during his time as Chief Minister of Karnataka, where he was credited with building world-class infrastructure in Bengaluru. His entry into the role, however, wasn't without its initial hurdles. An early incident involving a prolonged stay at a five-star hotel during a period of government austerity, highlighted in the media, saw him and then-Minister of State Shashi Tharoor publicly asked to vacate by the then Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee. This early challenge, however, did little to derail Krishna's overall performance.
Krishna's approach to diplomacy was characterized by a calm and composed demeanor, a trait often praised by his colleagues and officials. He maintained active consultation with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, navigating the complexities of foreign policy bureaucracy with considerable skill. His 83 overseas trips as foreign minister, undertaken until the age of 80, underscore his dedication and commitment to representing India on the global stage. Despite his generally composed nature, age did occasionally catch up with him, as evidenced by a widely remembered incident at a UN meeting where he inadvertently read the speech of the Portuguese Foreign Minister. This momentary lapse in concentration, however, did not overshadow his broader contributions.
One of Krishna's most significant challenges was engaging with Pakistan in the aftermath of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. Following an initial setback in the relationship, Krishna, working closely with the Prime Minister's Office, successfully resumed dialogue between the two nations. This resulted in meetings between the foreign secretaries in Thimphu, and subsequently, Krishna's own visit to Pakistan, where he met with top leadership, including Shahbaz Sharif. While generally successful in fostering dialogue, he faced criticism for not forcefully defending Home Secretary G.K. Pillai at a joint press conference, where Pillai was controversially linked to Hafiz Saeed. Krishna's diplomatic efforts were not confined to Pakistan. He played a crucial role in securing India's non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council in 2010, engaging extensively with over 100 countries during the campaign.
Krishna’s diplomatic successes extended beyond bilateral relations. His strong rapport with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, with whom he co-chaired three rounds of the India-US strategic dialogue, was instrumental in fostering closer ties between the two countries. He was particularly effective in securing Washington's cooperation in providing access to David Headley, a key suspect in the 26/11 attacks. Similarly, he successfully maintained positive relations with Iran, even amidst India’s official stance on Tehran’s nuclear programme. He cultivated strong personal relationships with numerous foreign ministers, including Hina Rabbani Khar of Pakistan, Yang Jiechi of China, and others, consistently highlighting the importance of these personal connections in his post-tenure reflections. In the midst of the Arab Spring uprisings, Krishna's MEA efficiently coordinated the evacuation of over 16,000 Indian nationals from Libya, a feat described as the largest since the Kuwait evacuation of 1991. This demonstrated the government’s capacity for large-scale crisis management in protecting its citizens abroad.
However, Krishna's tenure wasn't without its controversial aspects. His outspoken response to incidents of violence against Indian students in Australia, some racially motivated and others isolated incidents, strained relations between the two countries. His intervention in a Norwegian custody case involving an Indian couple, which ultimately stemmed from marital discord, further exemplifies his occasionally ill-informed and sometimes overzealous approach to consular issues. His performance within the Cabinet was also subject to criticism. His occasional need for prompting during meetings and Parliament sessions left some with a less-than-favorable impression of his effectiveness as External Affairs Minister. A memorable instance involved a misunderstanding of a question regarding a Pakistani prisoner in India, where he mistakenly offered to take the matter up with the Pakistani government, only to be reminded by the Rajya Sabha that the prisoner was, in fact, in Indian custody.
Despite these instances of occasional misjudgment, Krishna's legacy is not solely defined by his gaffes. One of his most enduring accomplishments was the implementation of the Passport Seva Project, which drastically streamlined the passport application process through the effective use of IT and outsourcing to the Tata Group. This initiative, piloted in Bengaluru and later expanded nationwide, significantly reduced bureaucratic hurdles and is considered a model for efficient public service delivery, continuing to benefit countless Indian citizens. Ultimately, Krishna's exit from the position was as noteworthy as his tenure. His graceful resignation, attributing it to the need for senior officials to make way for younger leaders, reflects a self-awareness and a commitment to the country’s evolving demographic landscape. While his career was punctuated by moments of both remarkable success and occasional error, S.M. Krishna's legacy stands as a testament to a long and multifaceted career in Indian politics and diplomacy.
Source: S M Krishna, a foreign minister whose record speaks louder than his gaffes