Jaishankar Warns of Messy Global Twilight Zone Amid Changing World Order
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday voiced significant apprehension regarding the evolving global landscape, describing it as heading toward a "long twilight zone" characterized by messiness, risk, unpredictability, and potential danger. Speaking at the FECC Three-Day Global Economic Cooperation (GEC) Summit in New Delhi, the minister outlined the complexities of a world in transition.
Coexistence of Old and New Orders
Jaishankar emphasized that the established global order is visibly transforming, but replacements are challenging to establish. "We appear to be headed for a long twilight zone. This will be messy, risky, unpredictable, perhaps even dangerous. We have already seen this across different geographies," he stated. He noted that aspects of the present order will coexist with elements of the emerging one, creating a hybrid and uncertain international environment.
Shift from Economics to Politics and Security
The minister highlighted a critical shift where economics is increasingly giving way to politics and security in decision-making processes. "When it comes to making choices, technology in the age of AI will be even more transformative than ever before," Jaishankar added, pointing to the profound impact of artificial intelligence on global dynamics.
Weaponization of Economic Tools
Jaishankar drew attention to concerning trends in the global economy, including:
- The weaponization of production and finance
- Leveraging of market shares for strategic advantages
- Tightening of export controls as geopolitical tools
These developments, he suggested, contribute to the volatile and risky nature of the current international landscape.
India's Strategic Trade Engagements
Against this backdrop, Jaishankar underscored India's proactive and strengthened position in global engagements. "From a position of strength, India is engaging international partners more intensively. This is demonstrated in the recently concluded trade deals," he affirmed.
The minister specifically referenced:
- India-US Trade Agreement: Following a phone conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump, both nations announced a reduction of US tariffs on Indian goods from 50 percent to 18 percent, marking a significant economic breakthrough.
- India-EU Free Trade Agreement: Last month, India and the European Union concluded negotiations for a proposed free trade agreement (FTA). Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal earlier stated this pact will boost two-way commerce and strengthen economic ties, described by some as the "mother of all deals."
These agreements exemplify India's strategy of engaging with international partners from a fortified stance, navigating the complexities of the changing global order while securing favorable economic outcomes.
