India can chart its own course, says Rishi Sunak
Former UK PM Rishi Sunak says India and Gulf nations are no longer bound to align with the US or China in a changing global order.
Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has observed that nations like India and those in the Gulf are increasingly capable of navigating their own paths in a shifting global landscape. Speaking in New Delhi, he noted that these nations will no longer feel obligated to align strictly with the interests of either the United States or China.
A Shift in Global Dynamics
During a panel discussion titled "The End of Predictability" at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum 2026, Sunak highlighted a significant departure from the multilateral, rules-based framework that once defined the global economy. He suggested that the current era is marked by immense geopolitical uncertainty and risk.
Sunak identified China as a major peer competitor to the United States, noting its rise across economic, military, and technological sectors as a defining feature of the modern world economy. This rivalry, he suggested, is driving a new era of strategic maneuvering.
The Rise of Independent Decision-Making
A key takeaway from Sunak's remarks was the growing autonomy of middle powers. He emphasized that countries like India are now prioritizing their own national interests over traditional alliances.
- Strategic Autonomy: India and Gulf nations are increasingly making decisions based on their own strategic needs.
- Non-Alignment: These nations will not always agree with Washington or Beijing.
- New Global Order: The ability to "chart their own course" is a significant new feature of the contemporary world.
Concerns Over Global Security and Hard Power
The former Prime Minister expressed deep concern regarding the current state of global security, pointing to the rising number of armed conflicts. He noted that there are currently 61 different state-based armed conflicts occurring worldwide—a frequency not seen since World War II.
Sunak also touched upon the growing importance of "hard power." While he cautioned against viewing the world purely through the lens of force, he admitted that states are increasingly recognizing that economic security is inseparable from national security and technological capabilities.
The Bloomberg New Economy Forum 2026 is currently taking place in New Delhi, exploring the theme "A World in Play: Defining the New Levers of Power." The forum features prominent global leaders and business figures, including Tata Sons Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran and Blackstone President Jonathan Gray.