External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has observed that the geopolitical landscape is deeply rattled by active warfare, fiscal pressures, and the rising weaponisation of trade links. He made these remarks at an event organised by the Asia Society in New York. Jaishankar drew attention to two major ongoing conflicts, widespread instability across West Asia, armed fighting in parts of Africa, and increasing systemic strain bearing down on the developing world.
Jaishankar noted that global supply chains face growing fragility while essential resources including food, fuel, fertilisers, and financial mechanisms remain heavily pressured. He described the friction between economic integration and state rivalry as a defining dilemma. According to Jaishankar, "the paradox of our times" involves countries remaining deeply connected yet increasingly inclined to use those connections as sources of leverage.
The External Affairs Minister stated that "the interdependence is the reality, the competition is the sentiment." He added that policy formulation continually reflects the intense challenge of balancing these opposing realities. Jaishankar explained that when one country depended on another for a critical need, intense competition created an incentive to turn that dependence into a tool of pressure.
Jaishankar described the current diplomatic environment as a "high-risk" one, where diplomats had to respond to high-risk decisions and their consequences, while retaining the patience needed to work through longer disputes. He highlighted several strategic chokepoints, identifying critical geographic shipping routes, economic sanctions, travel restrictions, and market access points. States possessing direct influence over any of these gateways showed an increased readiness to deploy them against strategic rivals.
Jaishankar pointed to a broader rebalancing of global economic and political power. Rising economies and established nations experiencing relative declines were both actively adjusting to these shifts, generating uncertainty that reverberated through domestic politics and international relations alike. He questioned whether multilateral architectures founded under outdated power hierarchies can effectively adapt to the present-day realities.
The External Affairs Minister mentioned that countries were seeking new partners, diversifying their relationships and looking for ways to reduce risk. He added that new understandings could emerge, though he expected negotiations to be difficult. Jaishankar offered a pragmatic outlook, stating, "I'm not pessimistic about the world," noting that countries had an interest in finding stable and reliable arrangements even as competition intensified.
Jaishankar's comments come at a time when the world is grappling with multiple challenges, including the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and rising global tensions. The United Nations, established in 1945, has seen its membership and work expand substantially since then. However, debate has continued over whether its decision-making structures adequately reflect today's world. India has called for reform of international institutions and a greater voice for developing countries.
Key points
- EAM Jaishankar warns of growing uncertainty in global order due to ongoing conflicts and economic pressures.
- The External Affairs Minister highlights the need for countries to adapt to changing global realities.
- Jaishankar calls for new understandings and partnerships to reduce risk and find stable arrangements.
