Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Jaishankar Says India Can Meet Challenges in Global ‘Age of Flux’
S. Jaishankar said the world is going through a time of big changes and uncertainty.
He pointed to conflicts, trade tensions and changing tariffs as some of the problems.
He said these challenges could affect energy, food and fertiliser supplies.
India needs to think ahead and make plans, he said.
Jaishankar believes India can handle these difficulties, as it has faced major challenges before.
He said the Global South expects India to speak up about its concerns.
He also said talking and diplomacy are important for resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Jaishankar called the United Nations gridlocked and spoke about the world moving towards a multipolar order.
S. Jaishankar described the world as entering a turbulent, uncertain “age of flux,” citing conflicts, other frictions and tariff volatility.
Speaking at the fifth Kautilya Economic Conclave in New Delhi, he said India must plan for challenges involving energy, food and fertilisers.
He expressed confidence that India could meet the challenges, pointing to its experience with Covid and the effects of conflicts.
Jaishankar said the Global South expects India to voice its concerns internationally and that dialogue and diplomacy are needed to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
He described the United Nations as gridlocked; one report also said he advocated a multi-aligned approach to major-power relationships and discussed a shift towards a multipolar world.
- Who
- External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, speaking with former Singapore foreign minister George Yong Boon Yeo.
- What
- Jaishankar discussed global uncertainty, India’s readiness, the Global South, the Russia-Ukraine conflict and multilateral institutions.
- When
- Monday, October 5; a related report was published October 6, 2026.
- Where
- The fifth Kautilya Economic Conclave in New Delhi.
- Why
- He was responding to a question about challenges ahead amid geopolitical uncertainty.
- Event
- Fifth Kautilya Economic Conclave
- Theme
- “Resilience in an Age of Flux”
- Session
- Closing session of the three-day conclave
- Global pressures cited
- Conflicts, other frictions, non-market factors and tariff volatility
- Challenges for India
- Energy, food and fertilisers
- Ukraine
- Jaishankar said dialogue and diplomacy are the way forward and said India remains in touch with both Russia and Ukraine.
- United Nations
- Jaishankar described it as gridlocked and said some countries resist reforms.
