NEW DELHI: The world is moving towards a new international order in which a wider range of countries will play a significant role in global affairs, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said, asserting that the era of imposing conditions on other nations through threats is coming to an end.
Speaking at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in New Delhi on Wednesday, Jaishankar said consensus, mutual understanding and shared interests would be crucial in enabling middle powers to help shape and implement international rules.
The ongoing global changes should not be viewed as a transition from the existing order to chaos, but as the emergence of a different kind of international system, he said.
‘India is a power in the middle’
Jaishankar said India does not see itself merely as a “middle power” but rather as a “power in the middle”, a distinction he believes better reflects the country’s position and ambitions on the global stage.
India, the world’s most populous country, has an economy valued at around $4 trillion and considerable potential for further growth, he said. The term “middle power”, according to the minister, does not fully capture India’s scale, influence or aspirations.
His remarks come amid growing discussions about the changing balance of global power and the need for a more inclusive international order in which countries beyond the traditional major powers have a greater say.
Greater autonomy for middle powers
Jaishankar said middle powers would increasingly focus on identifying their own national interests, pursuing independent policies and building partnerships based on mutual agreement.
Such an approach would allow these countries to participate more actively in shaping global governance and international decision-making, he said.
Rather than allowing global affairs to remain dominated by a handful of powerful nations, the emerging order could provide greater scope for countries with diverse economic and strategic interests to influence international outcomes.
Jaishankar’s remarks underline India’s emphasis on strategic autonomy and a multipolar world, in which countries can pursue independent foreign policies while cooperating with one another on shared priorities.
In conversation with FM Canada @AnitaAnandMP, former Australia PM @MrKRudd and former UK PM @RishiSunak at the @BBGNewEconomy Forum, New Delhi. https://t.co/hz22gCLip9
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) October 14, 2026
