There is a trend towards a more diverse multipolar world, but the old industrial economies are not disappearing and remain a major investment target, Foreign Minister S Jaishankar said.
Speaking at the silver jubilee celebrations of the Aditya Birla Group Scholarship program in Mumbai, Mr Jaishankar said that while many countries are nervous about the US – after the return of Donald Trump as President – India is not among them.
“Yes, there is a change. We ourselves are an example of change … if you look at the weight of the economy, you look at the ranking of our economy, you also look at Indian companies, their reach, their presence, Indian professionals, that’s what I’m talking about. So there’s no question that there is rebalancing,” Jaishankar said in response to a question about the reset in global power dynamics amid the shift in the balance of power from the West to the East.
“And in my mind, it’s inevitable,” he said, adding, “because after these countries after the colonial period gained independence, they began to make their own policy choices, and then they would grow.” “The inevitable part is that some are growing faster, some are slower, some are better, and there is the quality of governance and the quality of leadership. So, there is something continuous and variable.
“There is a trend towards a more diverse, multipolar world. But there are also, you know, times when countries are very advanced. I mean, that’s what happened in the corporate world as well.” However, he said the industrialized economy of the west cannot be ignored and remains a major investment target.
“But remember one thing, the older, western economy, the older industrial economy, has not disappeared. They are still counting, they are still the main investment targets. Big markets, strong technology centers, innovation centers. So let’s acknowledge the change, but don’t be too hasty and expand and distort your understanding of the world,” the minister said.
Talk about India-US relations and MR. Trump’s victory, he said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the first three calls, I think, President (elect) Trump took.” India and Prime Minister Modi have established relations with many presidents, he said.
“For him (Modi) there is something natural about how he builds these relationships. So that helps a lot. And I think the changes in India also help,” he said, when asked how he saw the outcome of the US presidential election being affected. India-US relations, mainly because of Modi’s strong personal relationship with the US President-elect.
“I know today many countries are nervous about the US, let’s be honest about it. We are not one of them,” Jaishankar said.
Earlier, the Chairman of Aditya Birla Group, Kumar Mangalam Birla, said that investment in talent is what shapes the future, and stressed that with the scholarship program, “we are driven by our ambition to create a cadre of selected leaders who will excel in India and also represent us .foreign countries”.
“The Aditya Birla Scholarship is a tribute to my father’s legacy and an ode to the extraordinary spirit of ambition and determination that defines India. With this scholarship program, we are driven by our ambition to create a cadre of selected leaders who will excel in India and also represent our country in abroad,” he said.
Describing the scholarship as a microcosm of India’s immense talent – abundant and extraordinary – Birla said, “The tremendous success of the programme, as measured by the achievements of our scholars over the years, only shows that ultimately investment in talent is what shapes the future.” Established in 1999 in memory of the late industrialist Aditya Vikram Birla, the program has emerged as one of India’s most coveted merit-based scholarships, according to the group.
The program partners with 22 leading institutions, including IITS, BITS Pilani, leading IIMS, XLRI, and national law schools.
During its 25-year journey, more than 10,000 applications have been evaluated by a team of experts, maintaining a steadfast commitment to excellence and diversity. The total number of Aditya Birla Scholars is currently 781 in engineering, management and law disciplines, according to the group.
Published – November 11, 2024 16:28 IST
