Chhote MEA holds forth for bade MEA

What kind of question did Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng ask? What kind of answer did Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng expect? Thankfully, our finger-wagging 'school teacher' idol MEA secretary Sibi George was there to let loose the most convoluted barrage of sentences that makes a byzantine corridor giddy. Having mastered the impeccable art of sanctimonious rebuffing, amplified when a Malayali like him opens up (or does he?) in exasperated English, George unleashed what could only be described as a 'TED is alive!' talk. Name-dropping Gandhi, yoga, Covid, G20 and other stuff that civil service examiners lap up as gold - and that have nothing to do with Lyng's question - MEA's defender of the faith was, as they say in Malayalam, on 'faiy-yar'.

But, seriously, why should anyone trust India? Because, as George-chettan said, 'India is a civilisational country which has something unique to offer to the world.' Quite. And because we're telling you we're trustworthy, despite not being culturally attuned to answering uncomfortable questions. 'Simply Sibi' has done what was required of him: banter pointlessly to defend the realm. Bravo. By responding the way many board exams are answered, George has proved beyond civilisational doubt why India should be trusted. Sibi George for president! ('Sibi George for PM!' may elicit another lecture from the man.)