'Non-Alignment era over, India needs to take risks', External Affairs Minister Jaishankar

New Delhi: – Indian Foreign Minister S.Jaishankar said ‘The era of Non-Alignment is over. The concept is outdated. At the same time, the times of power being polarised, around two mighty countries, also are over.’ He added ‘But the expectations from India have increased. India is expected to play an active role in important global issues. Therefore, it has become mandatory for India to take risks.’ Foreign Minister Jaishankar underlined that despite this, India would not get aligned with any of the fronts.

As per experts, this statement of the Indian Foreign Minister becomes important against the background of increasing tension with China and the strengthening relations with the United States. It is being claimed that Foreign Minister Jaishankar has delivered a message, simultaneously, to China as well as the United States. As per analysts, this certainly has the message that Indian foreign policy was and will remain independent, but at the same time, it also conveys that however strong the Indo-US relations have become, India has never trusted anyone with its eyes closed and indicates that India is willing to take risks in accordance to its own interests.

Jaishankar said ‘The current world is full of challenges. For the last 40 years, there was a complete imbalance. But the situation is changing now. The interdependence among countries has increased. At the same time, the equations of influence might and statesmanship have changed. We are currently heading for a multipolar world.’ Jaishankar underlined that the G-20 countries are in a position to play an important role.

Non-alignment was a time-bound concept. India was a weak nation during the decades of 50s and 60s. But today India is being looked up to with expectations. Therefore, India will not remain a mere spectator. India is expected to play a more active part in the matters of marine security, terrorism and connectivity. Foreign Minister Jaishankar said that therefore, it has become vital for India to take certain risks.

S.Jaishankar clarified that there has been no significant benefit to the Indian economy, from the free trade agreements. There are different ways to connect with the world— free trade agreements are not the only way. More efforts should go into making India a part of the global supply chain. Saying that the economy will benefit from this, Jaishankar claimed that the world is treading the path of the protectionist economy, after the Coronavirus pandemic.