How will India become the leader? Jaishankar said, “The country’s diplomacy is now active rather than passive.”

Kolkata. In his address after receiving an honorary doctorate from IIM-Calcutta on Saturday, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said that politics is increasingly overshadowing economics. He stressed the importance of diversifying India’s supply sources to safeguard national interests. Jaishankar said, “This is a time when politics is increasingly overshadowing economics, and this is no joke. In an uncertain world, it is even more important to continuously diversify supply sources to guarantee our national needs.”

This comment came in the context of the United States, which recently imposed high tariffs, including a 50% rate, on imports from India. He said that the United States, which has long been the guarantor of the contemporary system, is now setting fundamentally new rules of engagement. He said the US is now dealing with countries on a one-on-one basis.

India and the US are currently negotiating on two parallel tracks: one to resolve tariff issues and the other to establish a comprehensive trade agreement. The two countries currently aim to double bilateral trade from $191 billion to $500 billion by 2030. The US wants greater access to India’s agricultural and high-tech markets. India demands better mobility for Indian professionals, and clear rules on digital trade and data flow. Officials say India has avoided the worst impact of the 50% US tariffs and is willing to wait for a more favorable deal.

Jaishankar also addressed the behavior of other major economies. He said China has long played by its own rules and continues to do so, creating a fragmented global landscape. This uncertainty has led many countries to “hedging” their strategies. They are preparing to deal with any adversaries and are emphasizing deals and mutual understanding rather than focusing on outright competition.

Jaishankar emphasized India’s growing drive towards self-reliance and a strong industrial foundation. He stressed that a major power like India must have a significant industrial base. To achieve this ambition, it is crucial to promote advanced manufacturing, from semiconductors to electric vehicles, drones, and biosciences. He noted that a third of global production is now concentrated in China, making supply chain resilience even more important.

Jaishankar said that as the country plans for a developed India by 2047, the objective of foreign policy will be to expand India’s global footprint, and India’s diplomacy is now proactive rather than passive.