n the vibrant city of New Delhi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasized the imperative for India to cultivate profound national capabilities as it journeys towards a paramount position. He asserted that the nation’s aspirations should not be contingent on the benevolence of external entities. This declaration transpired during his virtual discourse at the Asia Economic Dialogue convened in Pune.
Jaishankar articulated that the visionary pursuits of the Modi government, spanning the past decade, revolve around fortifying national prowess. Addressing the virtual audience, he asserted, “As the most populous nation destined to become the third-largest economy by the decade’s closure, our objectives cannot be subject to external goodwill.”
He further expounded, “We must foster profound national strengths during the ‘Amrit Kaal,’ propelling the metamorphosis towards a sophisticated economy and a preeminent global force. This epitomizes the vision of the Modi Government, and our endeavors over the past decade are meticulously tailored to actualize this vision.”
Venturing into the realm of global dynamics, the external affairs minister dissected several geopolitical quandaries. He underscored the first challenge as the supply-chain intricacy, a byproduct of economic configurations ingrained during the globalization epoch. Jaishankar remarked, “The world, whether dealing with finished goods, intermediates, or components, perilously hinges on a limited array of suppliers.”
He accentuated the need to instill greater resilience and reliability, essential for risk-mitigation in the global economy. The second challenge highlighted was that of technology, which, in the digital era, assumes an intrusive role, influencing not only interests but also personal decisions. Jaishankar remarked, “This era mandates heightened trust and transparency, although, paradoxically, technology providers seem to be moving in the opposite direction.”
Delving into the intricacies of globalisation, the minister expounded on the third challenge—over-concentrations fueled by the unpredictable and opaque nature of global interconnectedness. This was exemplified starkly during the Covid period and underscored the severity of market dominance weaponization, particularly concerning the Global South.
Jaishankar contended that these three phenomena coalesce significantly in shaping the trajectory of critical and emerging technologies. He stressed the imperative of fostering a more secure, cooperative global landscape, achievable only through heightened international collaboration. This, he argued, serves as a countermeasure against unilateral demands, economic hegemony, and technology assertions.
He concluded by affirming that, for India, the path forward necessitates a comprehensive elevation across various domains contributing to national power. This entails a substantial upskilling of the nation’s workforce.