EAM Jaishankar’s Revelation: US Ditches Multilaterals for One-on-One Deals Amid Trump Tariff War
S Jaishankar says US sets new bilateral engagement rules as India pushes self-reliance and trade pact amid 50% tariffs.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, receiving an Honorary Doctorate from IIM Kolkata on November 29, 2025, stated the United States has adopted radically new engagement terms by negotiating bilaterally with countries, amid ongoing India-US trade talks following President Donald Trump's 50% tariffs on India three months prior. He emphasized India's self-reliance push via 'Make in India', transforming it into a manufacturing hub across chips, semiconductors, EVs, batteries, drones, space, nanotech, and bioscience to leapfrog global competitors. Jaishankar noted politics now trumps economics globally, urging supply source diversification for resilience.
Jaishankar praised India's infrastructure revolution—highways, railways, ports, energy—narrowing gaps with Asian peers, with the world taking notice. He critiqued China for "playing by its own rules" despite hosting one-third of global production, spotlighting supply chain vulnerabilities. India's diplomacy actively facilitates technology flows, market access, and investments while reducing dependencies.
As India eyes Viksit Bharat by 2047, foreign policy expands footprint via Global South solidarity, agenda-based groups, and neighborhood ties. Jaishankar stressed people-centric trade visions balancing strategic-economic connectivity, with industrial growth as a priority reflecting post-2014 ambition shifts.
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Human resources gain focus through nutrition, health, education doubling institutions, and skills enhancement via international collaborations. Atmanirbhar Bharat mindset empowers diplomacy, blending technology with civilizational strengths for competitive solutions.
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