Jaishankar outlines six priorities for India's diplomacy in a turbulent world

Speaking to the Indian Council of World Affairs on the occasion of its Silver Jubilee, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar painted a vivid picture of what India’s diplomacy will have to juggle in the years ahead. He didn’t just list a set of buzz‑words; he walked the audience through six inter‑linked themes that, in his view, will define how New Delhi engages a world that feels increasingly chaotic.

1. The fallout of rapid growth. India’s economy has more than doubled its size in the last ten years – a fact that isn’t just about numbers on a spreadsheet. Jaishankar stressed that a bigger GDP translates into a bigger footprint, deeper ties and, inevitably, heavier responsibility. “We count more, we influence more, but we also have greater responsibility,” he said, urging institutions like the ICWA to help shape the intellectual underpinnings of a “Viksit Bharat by 2047”.

2. People‑centric foreign policy. The minister highlighted how the global flow of talent and skills now sits at the heart of diplomacy. From consular services to rapid‑response mechanisms, every facet of India’s overseas engagement must adapt to a workforce that is truly global. “Our policies need to be more people‑centric than ever before,” he added, with a hint of a smile.

3. Communication, narrative‑building and AI. In the age of social media and instant messaging, shaping narratives is a full‑time job. Jaishankar warned that the rise of artificial intelligence will make diplomatic work “very much more complicated”, demanding faster responses and new techniques to capture attention without losing depth.

4. The Global South. He reminded the audience that many nations are still finding their footing after colonial rule. Shared histories, cultures and experiences, he argued, can become a glue that binds these countries together – a glue that India, as a large civilisational state, can help strengthen.

5. India as a civilisational state. Embracing its multi‑millennial heritage, Jaishankar said India will inevitably be misunderstood at times, but that is no excuse to stay silent. “We have our own character traits and personality; it’s up to us to explain, communicate and facilitate that process,” he asserted.

6. Strategic autonomy. Finally, the minister reiterated that independence in foreign‑policy choices is baked into India’s DNA. No amount of external pressure can replace the need for flexibility, creativity and, above all, the freedom to act in line with national interests. “There is simply no alternative to strategic autonomy in a multipolar world,” he concluded.

All these points, Jaishankar argued, must be viewed against a backdrop of a “radically transformed global landscape” that grows more turbulent by the day. In his words, India’s answer to extreme competition is not to double‑down on confrontation, but to champion dialogue, peace and a truly multipolar order.