During a state visit to India, Finnish President Alexander Stubb said the global balance is moving toward New Delhi, declaring that “the future is Indian,” and attributing this shift to India’s demographics, expanding economy and long history.
In an interview with ANI, Stubb said his assessment was not just diplomatic posture but a prediction for the coming decade. He described a three-hour meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as “wonderful,” said he felt warmly received, and noted he also addressed the Raisina Dialogue and met other political leaders while in the country.
Recalling a previous trip in 2013, Stubb observed clear progress in infrastructure, including roads and new buildings. He welcomed recent bilateral protocols and memorandums of understanding, saying they would enhance exchanges—particularly labour mobility—and described Finland–India ties as a two-way relationship that should benefit both sides.
On a visit to Mumbai, the Finnish president paid his respects at the Taj Palace Hotel to victims of the 26/11 attacks, calling terrorism “a menace everywhere” and describing the 2008 assaults as horrific.
Speaking more broadly about world affairs, Stubb argued that the international order is in transition and called for multilateral institutions that reflect today’s realities rather than the post‑World War II framework. He said he prefers a renewed multilateralism to a multipolar system driven by narrow national interests and urged Western countries to recognise India’s growing leadership role. According to Stubb, preserving effective multilateralism requires giving influence and seats at the table to countries that matter in the present day.
He reiterated his support for a permanent United Nations Security Council seat for India and cited his book, The Triangle of Power, in which he argues that the Global South—led by India—will be a defining force in shaping the future.
(Report sourced from ANI.)
