The not-so-subtle changes in international diplomacy are quickly becoming the leitmotif within the first 50 days of President Trump’s inauguration. While there have been some major embarrassments in the Oval Office-such as an ugly spat between President Zelensky of Ukraine and US Vice President JD Vance, as well as Vance’s controversial statements in Europe regarding European politics-the expulsion and deportation of several international students and academics for their ideological leanings, travel bans on multiple countries, and a semi-trade war have all contributed to destabilising the global order.
Amidst this backdrop, the Ministry of External Affairs hosted its prestigious annual foreign policy event, the Raisina Dialogue, this week.
The tone was set by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Foreign Secretary, and the event’s organisers, ORF, who underscored the constant evolution and reshaping of the global order. In his welcome note, EAM Jaishankar wrote: “In a world where relationships are no longer mutually exclusive and every nation seeks to benefit from the best the international order can offer, there is a constant flow of geopolitical convergences, alignments, turbulence, and transitions.
It is these shifts, with their continuities and discontinuities, that the Raisina Dialogue 2025 will deliberate upon. We are also living through an era of globalisation fatigue, where older partnerships are being remade and new ones forged.
The world is experiencing a wave of intense economic competition, where interdependence and de-risking struggle to find a balance. There are no lasting landing points, underscoring the continuing nature of competition. Since 2020, instability and conflicts around the globe have continued or escalated, whether in Ukraine, the Middle East, South Asia, or Africa. Divergent approaches toward climate action have created deep fissures.
Meanwhile, emerging technologies, particularly AI, have become a driving force in contemporary geopolitics, triggering a new tech race with the potential to shape the destinies of people and nations. The need to strive for peace, progress, prosperity, and security has never been greater.”
The reshaping of the old world order was further emphasised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he sat down for a first-of-its-kind podcast with US computer scientist Lex Fridman. During the interview, he stated:
“We must also understand that the world has become one small village today. No country can thrive in isolation. Today, we all depend on one another. No one can make it far alone. That is why you must learn to synchronise with everyone, and everyone else must learn to synchronise with you. That’s the only way to propel this initiative forward.
Organisations like the United Nations came into being after the First World War, but they failed to evolve with the times, and this inability to adapt has sparked a global debate on their relevance.”
PM Modi dedicated an entire segment of the conversation to his relationship with President Trump, sending a bold message to global leaders about their close affiliation. He said:
“When he was shot during the recent campaign, I saw the same resilient and determined President Trump-the one who walked hand in hand with me in that stadium.
Even after being shot, he remained unwaveringly dedicated to America. His life was for his nation. His reflection showed his ‘America First’ spirit, just as I believe in ‘India First.’ That’s why we connect so well.
These are the things that truly resonate. And I believe that, across the world, politicians are covered so much by the media that people mostly perceive each other through its lens. People rarely get the chance to truly meet or personally know one another, and perhaps third-party intervention is the real cause of tensions.”
Regarding his negotiating skills in comparison to President Trump, PM Modi added:
“It’s his graciousness and humility—it is very kind of him to openly appreciate me on various occasions and in different contexts. But when it comes to negotiation, I always put my country’s interests first.
That’s why, in every forum, I speak up for India’s interests-not to harm anyone, but in a positive manner. And because of that, no one takes offense. People know that if Modi is present, he will strongly advocate for these things. After all, the people of India have given me this responsibility. For me, my nation is my high command, and I will always honor their will.”
It was no surprise that a top official from the Trump administration, the US Intelligence Chief, was in New Delhi this week.
She highlighted the personal bond between the two leaders and also spoke about the rise of the Islamic Caliphate while stressing the need to address the continued atrocities against religious minorities in Bangladesh.
New Delhi is pleased this week, but it will proceed with cautious optimism.
(The writer is a political analyst. Views expressed are personal)
