Jaishankar: India's growth path amid a lonelier US and rising China

India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated the US has deliberately become a "lonelier power" and China's rise is intensifying global competition, reshaping international partnerships. Speaking at the 62nd Munich Security Conference, Jaishankar said this competition has led to the weaponization of leverage, coexisting with complex interdependence. He advocated for a "third way" of multi-alignment, where countries hedge and diversify relationships rather than rigidly align. Jaishankar highlighted opportunities for emerging and middle powers to cooperate on trade, healthcare, and defence. He assessed India has significant growth potential over the next five to ten years, supported by demographics and new development pathways, though some middle powers may lose ground.