Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Jaishankar Says US Chose a Lonelier Role as Global Order Shifts
S. Jaishankar said the way countries relate to one another is changing.
He described the United States as choosing a more isolated role.
He also said China is becoming more influential.
Countries are competing and using whatever advantages they have, but they still depend on one another.
Jaishankar said emerging and middle powers can work together even when they do not agree on everything.
He pointed to groups and projects where countries cooperate.
He defended India’s long relationship with Russia and said India wants the Russia-Ukraine conflict to end.
He also said the United Nations should be improved, not discarded.
S. Jaishankar said the United States had deliberately adopted a “lonelier” posture as the global order changes.
He identified China’s rise and sharp competition involving multiple countries as major features of the international landscape.
He said countries are using their available leverage in competition even as they remain interdependent.
Jaishankar urged emerging and middle powers to cooperate where they share common ground, while maintaining ties with major powers.
He defended India’s ties with Russia, said India wants the Russia-Ukraine conflict to end, and called for reforming rather than abandoning the United Nations.
- Who
- India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
- What
- He discussed the changing global order, US repositioning, China’s rise, cooperation among middle powers, India-Russia ties, and reform of the United Nations.
- When
- Sunday; the articles do not give a calendar date.
- Where
- The Munich Leaders’ Meeting in New Delhi, according to several articles; another article refers to the 62nd Munich Security Conference without specifying a city.
- Why
- Jaishankar was addressing changes in global power and how countries can respond through cooperation, diversification, and partnerships.
- Speaker
- S. Jaishankar, India’s External Affairs Minister
- Event
- Munich Leaders’ Meeting; one report calls it the 62nd Munich Security Conference
- US
- Jaishankar described its repositioning as a choice and said it had deliberately become a “lonelier power.”
- China
- Jaishankar cited China’s rise and growing influence as a major feature of the global landscape.
- Cooperation examples
- He cited the Quad, BRICS, the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, and other initiatives and corridors.
- India-Russia ties
- He said the relationship extends beyond defence to areas including nuclear energy, space, trade, investment, energy, and natural resources.
- Russia-Ukraine conflict
- Jaishankar said India wants the conflict to end.
- United Nations
- He said the UN should be fixed rather than abandoned.
