India's Position in World Order Will Attract Competition: Jaishankar

By A Staff Reporter

Delhi – At a recent book launch event, India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar provided insights into the evolving dynamics of India's position in global affairs, emphasizing that as India’s capabilities grow, so too will competition and strategic complexities on the world stage. Highlighting India’s path toward becoming a leading power, Jaishankar underscored that while partnerships with other nations are essential, they may also entail competition and diverging interests.

"Whether it is our actual capability or potential, our presence in the world order today also attracts competition. As we move towards becoming a leading power, this will only grow," he stated, explaining that even friendships with other nations are not immune to strategic hedging. He remarked that multipolarity allows countries to keep their options open and hinted at the limits of alignment between nations with varied global interests.

Elaborating on India’s approach, Jaishankar noted, “The more global they are, the broader their range of activities and interests. Some may converge more, some less so, and at times, in fact, some may even diverge. Sometimes friends have other friends who may not necessarily be ours.” In an increasingly interconnected but fragmented world order, he cautioned against equating alignment of interests with absolute agreement, remarking, "It is essential that we never confuse convergence for congruence."

Jaishankar also noted that the Indian approach to contemporary geopolitics is often misinterpreted as an extension of inherited ideologies, arguing instead that this perception is part of a larger strategic "mind game." He added that while nations may seek to influence India’s choices or restrict its options, India's realistic foreign policy approach is designed to ensure its interests are met in a complex and fluid international arena.

The minister’s remarks reflect India’s nuanced strategy of navigating global alliances in a multipolar world, where partnerships are pragmatic rather than exclusive.