India must fortify its "deep national strengths" to facilitate its evolution into a leading global power, asserted External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during a virtual address at the Asia Economic Dialogue convened in Pune on Thursday.
Jaishankar emphasized that India's trajectory towards becoming the world's third-largest economy by the end of the decade necessitates self-reliance and resilience, rather than relying solely on external goodwill.
"The vision of the Modi government is centered on bolstering our national capabilities to drive this transformative journey towards becoming a developed economy and a prominent global power," he affirmed.
Reflecting on the prevailing geopolitical landscape, Jaishankar identified several key challenges, starting with the vulnerabilities inherent in global supply chains. He stressed the need for diversification to mitigate risks associated with over-reliance on a limited number of suppliers.
The minister also underscored the complexities surrounding technology, particularly in the digital age, where personal privacy and decision-making are at stake. He advocated for greater transparency and trust in technology governance, highlighting the current trend of diminishing trust in technology providers.
Additionally, Jaishankar highlighted the challenges arising from the unpredictable and opaque nature of globalization, exacerbated by market dominance wielded as a tool. He emphasized the need for international cooperation to counteract unilateral economic dominance and technological assertions.
In response to these challenges, Jaishankar emphasized the imperative for India to enhance its comprehensive national power across various domains, necessitating a significant upskilling of its workforce. He emphasized the importance of broad-based cooperation to create a safer, more secure, and collaborative global order.
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