External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasised that India must position itself as the primary responder to any crisis in the subcontinent, underscoring the importance of the nation’s “neighbourhood first policy.”
Speaking at the Aravalli Summit on ‘India and the World Order: Preparing for 2047’ at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi, he highlighted India’s responsibility to “underwrite the infrastructure for cooperation” amidst a backdrop of political volatility in the region.
“This is the essence of neighbourhood first policy. India has to be the go-to option in any crisis in this subcontinent,” Jaishankar said. He further noted, “The strategic diminishing of India as a result of Partition has to be overcome,” reflecting on the need to strengthen India’s regional influence and overcome historical challenges.
Analysing the global landscape, Jaishankar observed a shift toward increased competition, moving away from the earlier promise of global cooperation. “It is driven by the weaponisation of everything. All nations face predicaments. India has to strategise and continue rising amid such volatility. The challenge is to read this complex landscape,” he stated, highlighting the complexities of the current international environment and the need for strategic navigation.
As a JNU alumnus, Jaishankar stressed the importance of safeguarding India’s national interests while advancing its position in the global hierarchy. He identified key drivers for India’s rise, saying, “From India's perspective, the driving forces of demand, demographics and data will propel its rise. We have to create ideas, terminologies and narratives for journey to 2047,” outlining a vision for India’s growth as it approaches the centenary of its independence.
Jaishankar also called on JNU’s School of International Studies (SIS) to take on a greater role in shaping India’s global ascent. He urged the institution to “shift gears” and shoulder the responsibility of helping India emerge as a leading power.
“SIS has been at the forefront of developing India's capability. It has served as an inspiration for the proliferation of international relations studies in the rest of the country,” he said, emphasizing the importance of SIS in contributing to the national goal of achieving a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) by 2047.
The minister’s remarks at the summit underscored India’s ambition to play a central role in regional stability and global leadership, leveraging its demographic and economic strengths while navigating a complex and competitive world order.
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