External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Tuesday said the global order is undergoing a profound transformation, warning that the world may be entering a prolonged and uncertain “twilight zone” marked by instability and shifting power dynamics. Speaking at the Global Economic Cooperation conference in Mumbai, he said long-standing assumptions that shaped international relations are now being questioned as multiple strategic, political, economic and technological transitions unfold simultaneously.
Describing the present moment as perhaps the most turbulent in living memory, Jaishankar pointed to the “weaponisation” of production and finance, tightening export controls and volatile market conditions as signs of a fragmented global system. He said replacements for the existing order are not easy to construct, making the transition phase messy, risky and unpredictable. According to him, nations are increasingly adopting strategies of derisking and diversification to safeguard their interests in a rapidly changing environment.
Highlighting India’s growing economic influence, Jaishankar said the country is engaging international partners more intensively and from a position of strength. He cited recently concluded trade agreements, including a significant pact with the United States, as evidence of India’s rising global clout. India has also finalised trade deals with the European Union, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Oman, moves he said reflect confidence in India’s economic trajectory.
The minister emphasised that economic security today depends on stronger self-reliance combined with trusted global partnerships. He added that technology competition, energy trade realignments and geopolitical rivalries are reshaping decision-making worldwide. The United States is determined to reindustrialise, China continues to expand its manufacturing and export focus, and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence are influencing political and security choices. In this evolving landscape, Jaishankar said, each nation will respond according to its own interests and calculations.
