US becoming a lonelier power by choice: EAM

Munich: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has described the United States as having “deliberately become a lonelier power”, saying a radical repositioning of Washington and the rise of China are reshaping the global landscape.

Speaking at the 62nd Munich Security Conference, Jaishankar said the international order was being defined by sharp US-China competition, growing self-reliance among emerging and middle powers and a push to diversify partnerships and reduce risks.

“No one in the room would disagree with the fact that the landscape today is primarily marked by a radical repositioning of the United States,” Jaishankar said. He described the repositioning as “a posture of choice” and said the US had “deliberately become a lonelier power”.

Jaishankar said the second major feature of the current international landscape was the rise of China. He pointed to China’s economic strength, saying it accounts for about one-third of global manufacturing and that its economic capabilities are translating into political influence.

“China, which sees itself as a unique country that is in a way both its self-perception, in many ways, also the reality,” Jaishankar said. He said the world was witnessing “very sharp competition” between the US and China, with the rivalry extending beyond the two countries.

“That competition today, not limited to these two countries, has led to a weaponisation of any leverage that any country has,” he said.

At the same time, Jaishankar said this competition coexists with the “complexity of interdependence”.