Archive · 4 Oct 2026
Jaishankar Seeks “Goldilocks” Balance in US-China Rivalry and Global Order
S Jaishankar spoke about competition between the United States and China.
He said the US is choosing a more independent position, while China’s growing economic strength is giving it more influence.
He described the rivalry as needing a “Goldilocks” balance: not too intense, but not completely gone.
He said other countries are also affected by the competition.
Many are trying to rely more on themselves and avoid depending too heavily on one partner.
They are also working to make supply chains more reliable.
Jaishankar said countries do not need to agree on everything to cooperate.
He pointed to groups and shared projects as ways countries can work together when their interests overlap.
S Jaishankar said the US is undergoing a chosen “radical repositioning” and has become a “lonelier power.”
He said China’s rise and its economic strength are translating into political influence, intensifying competition with the US.
Jaishankar called for a “Goldilocks” level of rivalry: neither dangerously intense nor absent.
He said emerging and middle powers are pursuing self-reliance, diversified partnerships and more resilient supply chains.
He argued that countries can cooperate with sufficient common ground, citing groupings and initiatives including the Quad, BRICS and transport corridors.
- Who
- External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, speaking about the US, China, and emerging and middle powers.
- What
- He discussed US-China competition, called for a balanced level of rivalry, and described how other countries are adapting and cooperating.
- When
- Sunday; one report gives the Munich Leaders Meeting dates as October 4 and 5.
- Where
- Reports differ: one places the Munich Leaders Meeting in New Delhi, while another identifies the event as the 62nd Munich Security Conference.
- Why
- Jaishankar said US repositioning, China’s rise and competition over economic and strategic leverage are reshaping the global order.
- Speaker
- External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar
- Central metaphor
- A “Goldilocks scenario” for US-China rivalry: neither too hot nor too good, but at the “right temperature”
- US posture
- Jaishankar described the US as having “deliberately become a lonelier power”
- China’s manufacturing share
- Jaishankar said China accounts for about one-third of global manufacturing
- Approach of emerging and middle powers
- Self-reliance, diversification, de-risking and strategic hedging
- Cooperation examples
- The Quad, BRICS, the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor and the International North–South Transport Corridor
- Event and location
- Accounts differ: the reports identify the event as either the Munich Leaders Meeting in New Delhi or the 62nd Munich Security Conference
