EAM Jaishankar Says US Has Become a Lonelier Power
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said the United States has, by choice, become a “lonelier power” as the global order undergoes a major transformation driven by Washington’s repositioning, China’s rise and increasingly sharp strategic competition.
Jaishankar Says US Has Become a Lonelier Power
Speaking at the Munich Leaders Meeting in New Delhi, Jaishankar said one of the defining features of the current geopolitical landscape is the “radical repositioning” of the United States.
He described the change as a posture of choice, arguing that Washington has deliberately become more isolated in some aspects of global politics.
Jaishankar identified China’s rise as the second major factor reshaping the international system, saying competition between major powers has intensified across multiple strategic and economic domains.
Global Competition Fuels Weaponisation of Leverage
The External Affairs Minister said geopolitical rivalry is no longer confined to the United States and China.
Countries are increasingly using economic, technological, energy and other forms of leverage to advance their strategic interests, even as global economies remain deeply interconnected.
He said emerging and middle powers are responding by diversifying partnerships, reducing strategic risks and building issue-based coalitions instead of relying exclusively on traditional alliances.
India Sees Multipolar Global Order Emerging
Jaishankar cited platforms including the Quad, BRICS and major connectivity initiatives as examples of countries cooperating where their interests converge.
He said the emerging order allows countries to work simultaneously with different powers, even when their positions do not fully align.
Jaishankar also pointed to growing pressure on traditional multilateral institutions, particularly the United Nations, arguing that smaller groupings and flexible partnerships are becoming increasingly important in global diplomacy.
