‘Definitive Picture Hard To Assert, World In Transition’: Jaishankar Says Global Order Is Unravelling

Last Updated:December 20, 2025, 5:28 PM IST

Jaishankar said globalisation has fundamentally changed how nations think, work and grow. He stressed that large economies like India must strengthen modern manufacturing.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday said the global economic and political order created nearly 80 years ago is steadily falling apart, as the world goes through a phase of deep transition.

Speaking at the convocation ceremony of Symbiosis International University in Pune, Jaishankar said it has become increasingly difficult to clearly define the current global situation. He pointed out that rapid changes in politics, economics and technology are reshaping international relations.

“Now, let’s fast forward a few decades and come to the present. Where the world is concerned, asserting today a definitive picture is obviously a real problem because so much of it is in transition. But the global order established 80 years ago is clearly unravelling,” he said.

Jaishankar explained that the shifting global balance is driven largely by the decisions and policies of major nations. However, he added that these countries are also responding to broader trends, many of which they have helped create.

According to him, three major forces are shaping the new world order. “At the heart of the matter are three concepts. One, globalisation. Two, rebalancing. And three, multipolarity. And each, each have been accelerated by the march of technology,” he said.

The minister underlined that no single country can dominate global affairs anymore. “No country, however powerful, can impose its will on all issues. Not just that, it also means now that there is a natural competition among nations in the world and that it creates its own balance,” he said, adding, “A number of centres of power and influence have emerged.”

Jaishankar said globalisation has fundamentally changed how nations think, work and grow. He stressed that large economies like India must strengthen modern manufacturing to stay competitive and keep pace with technological change. “A large economy like ours should develop substantial and contemporary manufacturing if its is to keep abreast of technology,” he added.

Speaking about India’s foreign relations, Jaishankar said global engagement has become more complex. “Engaging America has become more complicated. You all know why. Managing China has become complicated. Reassuring Russia became complicated because of the Ukraine war, the pressure on us to move away from Russia,” he said.

He also described Europe as a key partner where India needs to invest more diplomatic effort. Referring to neighbouring countries, he said regional ties are often influenced by domestic politics.

“Sometimes they praise us, sometimes they criticise us. Because we are actually an issue in their politics as well,” he said.

Highlighting India’s role as a regional responder, Jaishankar cited examples of crisis support. “Last week there was a big cyclone in Sri Lanka, so within the same day we were there with help. If you look at COVID, ask our neighbours, where did your vaccine come from? It came from India. When the Ukraine war started and everyone’s petrol and wheat and fertiliser supply was cut off, it came out of India…”

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