'Friendships Are Not Exclusive In A Multipolar World': Jaishankar As India Moves Forward

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar has said that as India is moving towards becoming a leading power, our presence in the world order today also attracts competition adding even friendships will not not be without some hedging, or exclusive particularly in a multipolar world.

Speaking at a book launch event in Delhi, EAM S Jaishankar said, “Whether it is our actual capability or potential, our presence in the world order today also attracts competition. As we move towards becoming a leading power, this will only grow. Even friendships will not be without some hedging. Relating to other major powers is also a challenge in itself.”

“The more global they are, the broader their range of activities and interests. Some may converge more, some less so, and at times, in fact, some may even diverge,” he said.

“Sometimes friends have other friends who may not necessarily be ours. They may, for example, reflect the dilemmas of the old order and the new. It is therefore essential that we never confuse convergence for congruence. Friendships are also not exclusive, particularly so in a multipolar world,” Jaishankar added.

“It is only to be expected that others, even friends, will seek to maintain their options while restricting ours. You will from time to time hear that our contemporary realism is projected as some kind of inherited dogmatism. Believe me, this is really a mind game at work,” Jaishankar added.