Pune, February 26 The current decade has been turbulent, but India has successfully navigated its challenges through pragmatic and practical policies at home, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Thursday.
In a recorded message at the ninth edition of the Asia Economic Dialogue organized by the Pune International Centre, he also said that the era of "linear globalization" was over, with long-held assumptions about international relations now being questioned.
"This decade has already been challenging, and more challenges are expected. India has addressed its challenges through pragmatic and practical policies at home. This has been complemented by a more confident and beneficial approach to global negotiations," the EAM said.
He added that decisions regarding the economy are now based more on considerations of politics and security, and that re-industrialization is itself a compelling strategic requirement.
Jaishankar noted that technologies, capabilities, and resources are increasingly being viewed as strategic assets.
"Artificial intelligence, semiconductors, data, and critical minerals are no longer seen only as drivers of growth. They are also instruments of national power," he pointed out.
He cited the "manipulation of the global trading system," selective observance of rules, and leveraging of market shares for non-economic purposes as examples of contemporary challenges that have been developing over the past two decades.
The Union minister said that the COVID-19 pandemic, conflicts, and climate change have exposed the fragility of global supply chains and have underscored the importance of food, health, and energy security.
"Resilience has emerged as the overriding goal. Governments and businesses are asking how much they are prepared to invest to avoid excessive dependence. These discussions are now reflected in trade arrangements, investment ties, and supply chain diversification efforts," he said.
For a large country like India, it is critical to engage intensively with international partners while steadily expanding its comprehensive national power, the EAM emphasized.
"Our focus is on fostering trade, mobility, production, services, technology skills, and talent partnerships," he said.
India is also enabling cooperation in critical minerals, supply chains, migration and mobility agreements, and advanced manufacturing with key global players, Jaishankar added.
Referring to the recently held AI Impact Summit 2026, he said that it underscored the potential of building on India's digital capabilities and talent pool to effectively diffuse artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.
Jaishankar expressed confidence that the Asia Economic Dialogue would deliberate on pressing geoeconomic developments, including tariffs, technologies, and strategic alignments.
