External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar recently shared insights into his working relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing him as a “demanding boss” who expects complete preparation and thoroughness from his ministers during interactions. Jaishankar revealed that PM Modi holds daily appraisal sessions, emphasizing the importance of being well-prepared for discussions. He explained, “I have daily appraisal sessions. In a way, I would say he is honestly a demanding boss. I say that because he prepares. If you’re discussing something, you have to be fully prepared. You need to know what you’re talking about to make your argument or case. You must stand your ground, and you must have the data.”

Jaishankar also praised Modi’s leadership style, noting that the Prime Minister grants his ministers significant operational freedom. He pointed out that PM Modi refrains from micromanaging or closely tracking how ministers carry out his instructions. Instead, he trusts his ministers to handle the details of implementation. The Minister shared an anecdote from India’s evacuation of students from Ukraine following Russia’s invasion, highlighting PM Modi’s decisiveness and support. “I have enjoyed working with him because he takes a call and then gives you that latitude. During the Ukraine crisis, he took a call that we needed to get people out. He said, ‘Do what it takes, use the Air Force, use civil aviation, talk to people, tell me what I have to do. If I need to make a phone call, I will. If you need to send ministers out, do so.’”

Jaishankar also spoke about PM Modi’s diplomatic skills and his ability to establish strong relationships with global leaders. He pointed to the Prime Minister’s rapport with several U.S. presidents, saying, “The Prime Minister was among the first three calls President Trump took. Modi has built rapport with multiple presidents—Obama, Trump, and Biden. There’s something natural in the way he forges those relationships, and that has helped India’s diplomatic ties significantly.”

In a reflection on his early years working with PM Modi, Jaishankar recalled a conversation from 2014 during his tenure as Foreign Secretary. He shared how Modi questioned why India’s bilateral relations with Australia were not progressing as expected despite shared linguistic, cultural, and historical ties. “He asked me, ‘Explain to me why hasn’t our relationship with Australia developed? We have everything going for us—shared language, culture, and tradition—yet somehow, something is not happening.’” Jaishankar noted that this pointed question from the Prime Minister marked a turning point in India’s approach to strengthening its foreign relations.