Jaishankar Says India Is Destined to Rise, Outlines Key Priorities for Future Diplomacy
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has said that India is destined to rise at a time when the global environment is becoming increasingly turbulent and uncertain. Addressing the valedictory session of the Silver Jubilee celebrations of the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) in New Delhi on September 15, he outlined the major issues that Indian diplomacy will have to navigate in the coming decades.
Jaishankar said India’s economic growth and expanding capabilities have changed the way the country is viewed internationally. He noted that India’s interests have become increasingly global, while its responsibilities and the expectations of other countries have also grown. He linked this changing position with the foreign-policy dimensions of the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Economic Growth and Greater Global Responsibilities
India’s economic expansion is emerging as an important factor in its diplomatic engagement. Jaishankar noted that the country’s GDP has doubled over the past decade and that its capabilities have expanded across several areas. This growth, he said, is not simply a matter of economic size but has implications for India’s global footprint, relationships with other countries and participation in international debates.
A larger global role also brings new challenges. Changes in international trade, tariff volatility, supply chains and economic competition are increasingly influencing diplomatic decisions. Jaishankar highlighted the need for India to respond to these developments while protecting its interests in a rapidly changing global economic environment.
People, Talent and a More Responsive Diplomacy
The movement of Indian talent and skilled professionals across borders is another area gaining importance. Jaishankar pointed out that a globalised economy increasingly requires a globalised workforce, creating new responsibilities for Indian diplomacy.
Consular services, community welfare, emergency response and mobility arrangements are therefore becoming more significant. This reflects an increasingly people-centred dimension of foreign policy, particularly as more Indians study, work and build professional lives overseas.
AI and Technology Are Changing Diplomacy
Technology is also transforming international relations. Jaishankar highlighted the impact of digital communication and social media on diplomacy, where information travels rapidly and governments must respond to changing narratives and public sentiment.
The emergence of artificial intelligence adds another layer to this transformation. AI is expected to influence communication, economic competition and international relations, while technological rivalry between major powers could contribute to greater fragmentation. At the same time, wider access to technology could create new opportunities and developments that are difficult to anticipate.
India’s Engagement with the Global South
Jaishankar also underlined the importance of India’s engagement with the Global South. India has increasingly articulated its perspectives on issues affecting developing and emerging economies, while seeking stronger cooperation on development, technology, connectivity and global governance.
The Global South dimension has also featured prominently in India’s wider diplomatic engagement through platforms such as BRICS. At the ICWA event, Jaishankar stressed that India’s growing international role requires greater intellectual engagement with global affairs and a stronger articulation of India’s own experiences and perspectives.
Civilisational Identity and India’s Own Perspective
Another theme of Jaishankar’s address was India’s identity as a multi-millennia civilisation. He argued that as India’s global role expands, the country should increasingly bring its own history, experiences, interests and concepts into its approach to international affairs.
This includes developing ideas and terminology that reflect India’s own understanding of global challenges. Such an approach, he suggested, can contribute to the wider international debate while giving greater intellectual depth to India’s foreign policy.
Strategic Autonomy in a Multipolar World
Strategic autonomy and multipolarity remain central to India’s diplomatic approach. Jaishankar emphasised that India’s independent stance allows it to engage with different countries and groupings while pursuing its national interests.
He also stressed that contemporary international issues cannot always be approached through simple, black-and-white positions. With major conflicts and competing interests involving several countries, Indian diplomacy must often balance different relationships and interests while seeking practical outcomes.
Peace and Development at the Centre of Diplomacy
Jaishankar further said that peace and development would remain central to Indian diplomacy. He argued that the international system needs to move away from prolonged conflict and towards conditions that allow countries to pursue development and prosperity.
He also pointed to challenges such as tariff volatility, technological competition and vulnerabilities in global economic systems. In this environment, diversification, trusted partnerships, self-reliance and resilience can become important elements of India’s broader strategic approach.
The MGMM Outlook
India’s expanding economic strength, technological capabilities and global engagement are creating new opportunities for the country to play a larger role in international affairs. Jaishankar’s emphasis on strategic autonomy, engagement with the Global South, support for Indian citizens overseas and the growing importance of AI reflects a foreign-policy approach focused on adapting to a rapidly changing world while safeguarding India’s interests. The vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047 further connects the country’s domestic development with its broader international role.
The address also highlights the importance of India bringing its own experiences, civilisational outlook and priorities into global discussions. As geopolitical competition, economic uncertainty and technological changes reshape international relations, India’s focus on diversified partnerships, resilience, peace and development can support a more active and independent role on the world stage. This evolving approach reflects India’s growing responsibilities and its effort to contribute constructively to discussions on the future of the international order.
(Sources: Firstpost, Moneycontrol, The Economic Times)
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