S. Jaishankar Urges National Capability Building Amid Global Turbulence

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated that India has emerged solidly from recent global shocks and successfully managed both domestic and external challenges. Speaking at the 15th convocation ceremony of the Indian Institute of Management Raipur on April 4, 2026, Jaishankar characterized current global turbulence as structural, citing shifts in relative power and the weaponization of technology, energy, and military capabilities.

He identified the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, the Russia-Ukraine war, and conflicts in West Asia as primary challenges of the last decade. Specifically, he referenced a crisis in West Asia that began on February 28 following attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran, which subsequently caused hydrocarbon shortages and disrupted global fuel supplies.

To counter these volatile conditions, Jaishankar advocated for the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative and urged the nation to hedge, de-risk, and diversify resources. He argued that building robust national capabilities is the most effective way to develop leverage and achieve the Viksit Bharat 2047 goal. He further noted that India's foreign policy currently focuses on promoting "Brand India," securing critical technologies, and expanding market access for Indian producers to support an economy that is now among the top five globally.