Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India], April 4 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said India has “solidly come through” recent global turbulence — including the West Asia conflict and the Russia-Ukraine war — successfully managing both domestic and external challenges.
Speaking at the 15th Annual Convocation of IIM Raipur, Jaishankar urged the nation to “hedge, de-risk and diversify” to protect its interests as global power dynamics shift. He warned that structural changes in the world order, driven by developments in technology, energy, military capabilities, connectivity and resources, have encouraged greater risk-taking and the weaponisation of various tools of influence.
“Everything today is being leveraged, if not actually weaponised,” he said, adding that nations now face the task of securing themselves in an increasingly volatile and unpredictable environment, whether in business or foreign policy.
Jaishankar highlighted an optimism in Indian society that he said is missing elsewhere, crediting the past decade’s progress and India’s emergence among the top five economies. He called for building national capabilities as central to achieving Viksit Bharat 2047, praising inclusive growth, representative politics and decisive leadership.
“Building national capabilities has become more critical,” he said, noting some domains will require trusted partnerships and diverse sourcing when self-reliance is difficult. Still, he emphasized that strengthening domestic capacities is the most effective way to de-risk and gain leverage.
On foreign policy, Jaishankar said India’s focus includes expanding market access for Indian producers, securing resources, technology and essential goods, protecting Indians abroad, and promoting “Brand India.”
His remarks came against the backdrop of the ongoing West Asia crisis, which intensified after US-Israel strikes on Iran on February 28 and subsequent Iranian retaliation that has affected regional stability and global fuel supplies. (ANI)
