External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday asserted that India has emerged strongly as a resilient global power and has successfully weathered a series of external shocks that have tested the country’s economic and diplomatic strength, in a clear reference to the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
Addressing the 15th convocation ceremony of the Indian Institute of Management in Raipur, Jaishankar identified the triple challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, ongoing global conflicts and climate change as the disruptions of the decade, asserting that India has emerged strong from these shocks.
These three factors affected daily life to an “unimaginable degree,” he said. While the pandemic has transformed work and life globally, the minister said that current conflicts have deeply affected even remote communities, which is a testament to the depth of globalization.
He pointed out that India’s ability to manage local and international challenges has strengthened its position among the five largest economies in the world.
“We are now among the top five economies. No one can deny that multiple global shocks have recently tested our resilience, and India has overcome this with strength,” he said, adding, “We have been able to manage domestic and external challenges fairly successfully.”
He added that more inclusive growth, representative politics and decisive leadership have created a new foundation on which the country can embrace higher aspirations.
“We have not only embraced the digital revolution with enthusiasm, but have actually implemented it meaningfully throughout our lives. Even many developed societies have not done that,” EAM said.
Jaishankar stressed that it is inevitable to build strong national capabilities, which he noted is the most effective way to de-risk and develop influence.
He pointed out, “Building national capacities has become more important in light of the global trends I mentioned. This applies in particular to large countries. It should be noted that even in the developed world, previous slogans of globalization have now given way to a new awareness of self-reliance.”
In India, this is expressed as “Atmanirbhar Bharat”, and its value is clear when it comes to food, health, energy security or national security, he added.
“We must seek to secure as many capabilities as possible within our control. Clearly, some areas will be more difficult than others. In such cases, the answers lie in trusted or trusted partnerships and diverse sources. Building strong national capabilities is the most effective way to de-risk and even develop leverage,” Jaishankar said.
He saw that the global order is changing with clear shifts in the relative power and influence of countries, and that the turmoil in the world is currently structural in many respects.
“The politics of some societies are finding it difficult to come to terms with these changes,” he said. “New developments in technology, energy, military capabilities, connectivity, and resources have encouraged risk-taking in an increasingly competitive environment. Everything today is being exploited, if not actually weaponized.”
The Foreign Affairs Minister said the world was then faced with the prospect of securing itself in an increasingly volatile and unpredictable environment, which necessitated a greater tendency to hedging, de-risking and diversifying, whether that was a trade choice or foreign policy.
He emphasized that nation building is a very complex task with many dimensions, and highlighted the role of business and institutions.
“The overarching aspect is the strength and dynamism of our business. You will notice that in our quest to make up for the lost decades of the past, there is a crucial initiative that now makes it easier to do business. Even this is possible when the enabling environment is more positive,” he said.
He added that there have been significant improvements in ease of living and access to opportunities, especially for entrepreneurs, start-ups and small businesses, while expansion of educational institutions and greater focus on skill development have strengthened India’s human capital.
Pointing to the triple challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing global conflicts, and climate change as the disruptions of the decade, he said the increasing frequency of extreme weather events and the ongoing erosion of natural habitats pose both short- and long-term concerns.
Jaishankar said the graduating batch at the event should consider themselves lucky as they are destined to achieve the goal of ‘Fixit Bharat’.
“You are the beneficiaries of a powerful decade of progress. You have gained gains in access to technology and information that were unimaginable a generation ago. Today, India is poised to make great leaps in its development journey, and your group will be among those who will lead these efforts,” he said.
Explaining the evolving role of India’s foreign policy, Jaishankar said it is increasingly focused on expanding market access for Indian producers, securing critical resources and technologies, and supporting Indian citizens abroad, especially in times of crisis.
He added that it is promoting “Brand India” globally, which is essential for the country’s perception as a trusted and reliable partner.
