S. Jaishankar

More than a middle power, in a way, we are powers in the middle. What would really define a middle power? To use the Prime Minister’s words, the countries who have the power to empower.

Everybody knows that India has relations with all the major countries of the world. For any country to expect to have a veto or a say in how we develop our relations with others is not a reasonable proposition.

Asia is being shaped largely by the outlook of the US, the power of China, the weight of Russia, the collectivism of ASEAN, the volatility of the Middle East and the rise of India.

India believes it has a duty to contribute and an obligation to inspire. That is why we have launched more than 600 development projects in 78 countries—spanning infrastructure, livelihoods, education, training, and community welfare.

Every country in the world is fashioning its own strategy to deal with the United States. In our case, our strategy has a goal. And the goal is to see whether its possible to deal with this situation by concluding a bilateral trade agreement.

Tariffs, sanctions, whether we would like it or not, are a reality, countries use them. If one looks at the last decade, I would say we have seen a much greater weaponisation of pretty much any kind of capability or any kind of economic activity.