Speaking at the Munich Leaders Meeting in New Delhi on October 4, 2026, India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar articulated a significant shift in the global order, highlighting that the United States has "deliberately become a lonelier power." This repositioning, he explained, is a posture of choice by the US, fundamentally altering the international landscape.
The Rise of China and Intensified Competition
Minister Jaishankar identified the emergence of China as the second defining feature of this evolving global order. He described China as a unique country, both in its self-perception and in reality, which has led to intense competition on the world stage. This rivalry, he noted, is not confined to Washington and Beijing but has broadened, leading countries to "weaponise" any leverage they possess, even amidst complex interdependence.
Cooperation Among Emerging Powers
In response to these dynamics, Jaishankar emphasized the necessity for emerging and middle powers to strengthen their cooperation. He argued that while these nations naturally maintain ties with both the US and China, their collective voice and shared interests can be more effectively pursued through increased interstate collaboration, particularly where direct clashes of interest are minimal.
Examples of Global Collaboration
The External Affairs Minister cited several initiatives demonstrating successful cooperation in this complex environment:
- The Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue)
- Connectivity projects like the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor
- The International North-South Transport Corridor
- The Northern Sea Route
- BRICS, as an example of countries uniting for a stronger collective voice
- India-initiated platforms such as the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure
These examples, Jaishankar concluded, illustrate how various countries, including non-leading nations, come together to form working arrangements, develop agendas, and foster habits of cooperation, thereby shaping today's continuously evolving global order.