US has deliberately become a lonelier power: Jaishankar
At the Munich Leaders Meeting, S Jaishankar discussed the US repositioning, the rise of China, and the weaponization of global leverage.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has delivered a sharp assessment of the current global geopolitical landscape, suggesting that the United States has undergone a "radical repositioning" that has effectively turned it into a "lonelier power." Speaking at the Munich Leaders Meeting, the Indian minister highlighted how shifting dynamics between major powers are reshaping international relations.
The US-China Rivalry and the Weaponization of Leverage
According to Jaishankar, the modern international order is being defined by two primary pillars: the strategic shift in American posture and the rapid rise of China. He noted that the intense competition between these two giants is no longer a contained phenomenon.
"That competition today, not limited to these two countries, has led to a weaponization of any leverage that any country has," Jaishankar remarked. He further explained that this aggressive competition exists alongside a complex web of global interdependence, creating a volatile environment for all nations.
The Rise of Multipolarity and Hedging Strategies
As the traditional power structures shift, Jaishankar observed an accelerated emergence of multipolarity. He suggested that for many nations, managing relationships with competing powers is no longer a choice but a necessity. This has led to a strategic approach known as "hedging," where countries navigate complex ties with various players to protect their interests.
He pointed out that this shift is putting significant pressure on existing multilateral institutions. "The United Nations is very visibly gridlocked," he noted, suggesting that the inability of major bodies to act effectively is leading to the rise of smaller, more focused groups.
The Role of Emerging and Middle Powers
Despite the friction between superpowers, Jaishankar emphasized that emerging and middle powers are finding ways to maintain influence through collective action and strategic cooperation. He highlighted several key examples of how nations are organizing to secure their interests:
- The Quad: A strategic partnership for a free and open Indo-Pacific.
- Economic Corridors: Initiatives like the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor and the International North–South Transport Corridor.
- Global Alliances: The International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, both initiated by India.
- Collective Blocs: The BRICS alliance, which allows member nations to exert a stronger collective voice than they could individually.
Jaishankar concluded that the evolving global order is being defined by these working arrangements, where countries come together to develop agendas and habits of cooperation whenever their interests align, regardless of the friction between the world's leading powers.