MUNICH: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said the United States has “deliberately become a lonelier power”, describing Washington’s changing global posture and China’s rise as key factors reshaping the international order.
Speaking at the 62nd Munich Security Conference, Jaishankar said the global landscape was increasingly marked by sharp competition between the US and China, while emerging and middle powers were seeking greater self-reliance and more flexible partnerships.
According to media reports, Jaishankar described the US shift as “a posture of choice”. He said China’s growing economic strength was also translating into greater political influence, contributing to a more competitive global environment.
Jaishankar said emerging and middle powers were increasingly focused on diversification and de-risking, including efforts to strengthen supply chains and reduce vulnerabilities.
He argued that countries did not need complete agreement on every issue to work together. A “reasonable degree of convergence”, he said, could be enough for cooperation when interests overlap.
The minister cited the Quad and BRICS as examples of countries working together around shared interests. He also referred to connectivity initiatives such as the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor and the International North-South Transport Corridor.
Jaishankar said the evolving global order was increasingly being shaped by flexible partnerships, resilience and cooperation based on common interests rather than complete alignment.
