Full Breakdown
US “Lonelier Power” and China’s Rise Redefine the Global Order, Says India’s External Affairs Minister
By Drooid · · How we work
Shifting Power Dynamics at the Munich Leaders Meeting
On October 4, 2026, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar addressed the Munich Leaders Meeting, a senior-level gathering of the Munich Security Conference. He characterised the contemporary international landscape as being shaped by two defining developments: a “radical repositioning” of the United States that has made it “a lonelier power by choice,” and the accelerating rise of China. Jaishankar argued that the competition stemming from these trends extends beyond Washington and Beijing, prompting countries to weaponise any leverage they possess while operating within a complex web of interdependence.
Context: US Repositioning and China’s Growing Influence
Jaishankar described the United States’ shift as a deliberate strategic posture rather than a reactive response to external pressures. He linked this posture to a broader move away from the post-World-War-II underwriting of the global system. In parallel, he highlighted China’s economic weight, noting that the country accounts for roughly one-third of global manufacturing and that its self-perception as a “unique” nation is increasingly reflected in political influence.
Emerging and Middle Powers: Hedging and Cooperation
According to Jaishankar, emerging and middle powers are responding to the heightened US-China rivalry by pursuing “strategic hedging” and “agenda-based cooperation.” He said these states are strengthening interstate ties where interests converge, even while maintaining relationships with both major powers. Illustrative initiatives include:
- The Quad (United States, Japan, India, Australia)
- BRICS, a platform where collective voice outweighs individual influence
- Connectivity projects such as the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor and the International North-South Transport Corridor
Jaishankar emphasized that cooperation no longer requires identical positions on every issue; a “reasonable degree of convergence” is sufficient for joint action.
Quantitative Highlights
| Indicator | Figure (attributed to Jaishankar) |
|---|---|
| China’s share of global manufacturing | ~ 33 % |
| Number of cooperative groupings cited | 5 (Quad, BRICS, International Solar Alliance, Coalition for Disaster-Resilient Infrastructure, two connectivity corridors) |
These numbers illustrate the scale of the forces reshaping diplomatic and economic alignments.
Implications for Multilateralism
Jaishankar warned that the United Nations is “visibly gridlocked,” suggesting that the emergence of smaller, issue-focused coalitions may both alleviate and complicate multilateral governance. He described the current environment as an “evolving global order” where countries form flexible partnerships to mitigate risk, diversify supply chains, and pursue self-reliance—a concept he linked to India’s “Atmanirbhar” vision.
Official Statements & Responses
Jaishankar’s remarks framed the United States’ lonelier stance as a policy choice, not a consequence of diminished capability. He positioned China’s rise as a parallel driver of competition that compels all states to leverage economic, technological, and strategic assets. The minister argued that emerging and middle powers, by embracing self-reliance and diversified partnerships, can navigate the “complexity of interdependence” without being forced into exclusive blocs. No formal response from the United States or China was recorded in the source material.