External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, speaking at Business Today Mindrush 2025, offered a sharp critique of the existing global order, dismissing it as a western myth that no longer reflects the realities of today's world. He argued that this so-called "world order" was never truly inclusive or equitable, serving mainly the interests of western powers while leaving much of the Global South marginalized. Jaishankar questioned the very foundation of this narrative, asserting that countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America were often excluded from the benefits of international systems that claimed to promote fairness and stability.
He pointed to the COVID-19 pandemic as a clear example of how this world order failed the majority of the global population. Wealthy nations prioritized their own citizens through "vaccine nationalism," hoarding life-saving vaccines while developing nations struggled to secure supplies. Jaishankar asked where this world order was when people in these regions couldn’t access basic healthcare, vaccines, or even travel freely due to restrictions disproportionately affecting non-western countries. His remarks underscored the hypocrisy of an international system that preaches equality but often practices exclusion.
Jaishankar warned against blindly accepting the western narrative that the world was once orderly and harmonious, only now facing disruption. He dismissed this idea as a misleading portrayal that masks long-standing inequalities. "We should be very careful buying into this narrative in the first place — that everything was orderly and nice, and now somewhere, somebody is coming with a wrecking ball," he said. His remarks hinted at how emerging powers, particularly India, are now more willing to challenge such narratives and carve out a space for their own perspectives.
He further pointed out that these inequalities existed long before the pandemic, but few nations had the courage to speak out. India, he said, was among the rare few to demand a more balanced approach to global connectivity — insisting that no single country should dictate what gets connected or who benefits. This was a subtle but clear nod to China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which India has consistently criticized for creating debt dependencies and undermining sovereignty in participating nations. He noted that while India took a stand, much of the world remained silent, afraid to challenge the dominant powers shaping global rules.
Jaishankar framed this moment in history as a pivotal turning point, with the world on the cusp of transformation. He acknowledged that while this shift may bring both opportunities and challenges, India is prepared to navigate the changes without clinging to outdated structures. He rejected the notion of lamenting a lost world order, saying, "You won’t see me going around singing paeans to the world that we have somehow lost. That is not the case." His statement signaled a bold, self-assured vision for India's role in a changing global landscape.
Beyond critiquing the past, Jaishankar’s speech hinted at a blueprint for the future — one where India, along with other emerging powers, helps redefine international norms to ensure greater representation and fairness. He envisioned a multipolar world, where influence isn’t concentrated in the hands of a few western nations but shared more equitably among regions that have long been sidelined. His words underscored India's evolving diplomatic stance — no longer content to follow the rules set by others, but determined to shape new ones that reflect the aspirations and realities of the modern world.
In essence, Jaishankar’s remarks were a call for a more inclusive, just, and representative global system — one that acknowledges the struggles and contributions of developing nations. He presented India not as a disruptor, but as a responsible global player advocating for a long-overdue recalibration of international power dynamics. His speech resonated as both a critique of the past and a vision for a fairer, more balanced future, where countries like India play a leading role in shaping the world order on their own terms.
