On 02 August 2024, I was fortunate enough to have been invited by my former Alma Mater- the Centre for Air Power Studies (CAPS), to listen to Dr. S Jaishankar, Hon’ble Minister of External Affairs, Government of India, deliver the 7th Jasjit Singh Memorial Lecture. The current geopolitical situation and the topic ‘India’s Grand Strategy in an Uncertain Multipolar World Amidst Shifting Balance of Power and Rising Nationalism’ meant a packed Air Force Auditorium at Subroto Park, New Delhi, with the “Who’s Who” of the strategy and policy world in attendance.  The session was chaired by Dr. Sanjaya Baru, Founder-Trustee of the Forum for National Security Studies (FNSS) & Distinguished Fellow of the  Centre for Air Power Studies (CAPS).

The address was in honour of the founder Director General of CAPS, Air Commodore Jasjit Singh AVSM VrC VM (Retd). External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar recently delivered a compelling address outlining India’s strategic approach to a rapidly changing global order. The minister emphasized the increasing complexity of the international landscape characterized by multipolarity, uneven power distribution, and rising Nationalism.

 In his address, the Hon. EAM acknowledged that the international landscape is undergoing a profound transformation, with the situation becoming more complex and unpredictable. As per him, the best way to navigate through this reality is to avoid grandstanding and undertake serious and substantive dialogue with the concerned players. One of the key characteristics he acknowledged was its Multipolar nature and a marked unevenness amongst the players in terms of the currencies of power being used. These may be in the form of Military, economic, technology, energy, and resources.

As per him, Technology is a primary driver of this new world order. Advances in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and space exploration are reshaping the global balance of power. Economic might, once the predominant metric, is now complemented by technological prowess and control over critical resources.

He also commented on the rise of Nationalism in various parts of the world. He stated that this may be understandable for multiple reasons, but it can also be destabilizing. As the countries turn inwards, global cooperation becomes more difficult as the distribution of power becomes increasingly regionalized, putting traditional alliances under stress. Unconventional tools, such as sanctions and market manipulation, are increasingly being used as weapons, and Cybersecurity has become a critical battleground.

He recommended building systemic resilience to survive the complex environment that involves strengthening domestic foundations, diversifying partnerships,  and investing in critical technologies.  He emphasized that “Rashtra Suraksha is Atmanirbharta” – national security is synonymous with self-reliance, which must be the mantra as we prepare to compete in new and unconventional ways. 

The key element, however, was his call for a rapid buildup of capabilities in critical technologies, which he specified to be chips, drones space and underwater. The best recommendation was “Fix the bane of all systems, i.e., siloed thinking. Integration, jointness and holistic approaches are not just military challenges but systemic ones as well.”

Are we ready to deal with this challenge?