Foreign Minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, remarked that the United States is likely to adopt a more isolationist approach to foreign policy, regardless of who becomes the next president. Speaking at a Canberra event while Americans were still casting their votes, Jaishankar suggested that this isolationist stance represents a long-standing shift in U.S. policy that is unlikely to be altered by any individual administration.
Jaishankar noted that this trend towards a more cautious U.S. role on the global stage probably began under President Barack Obama and has continued through successive administrations. He highlighted the U.S.’s reluctance to deploy troops overseas and its eventual withdrawal from Afghanistan under President Joe Biden as indicators of this shift. Reflecting on President Trump’s tenure, Jaishankar added that Trump’s rhetoric made this tendency more visible, though it was part of a larger trajectory beyond any single administration.
“It’s essential to view the U.S. more holistically, beyond just the ideologies of the administration of the day,” Jaishankar said. He emphasized the importance of preparing for a world where the U.S. may no longer exercise the same degree of global influence or extend the level of support it once did.
Despite this, Jaishankar expressed optimism about India-U.S. relations, indicating that the strategic partnership between the two nations is likely to strengthen in the coming years. “Our ties with the U.S. are set to grow, and we see mutual benefits in further cooperation,” he noted.
Jaishankar’s comments were part of a larger conversation with the foreign ministers of Australia and New Zealand, where all three officials underscored the need for their nations to proactively shape the global order. Jaishankar advocated for a collaborative, consensus-based approach among like-minded countries to address emerging global challenges.
New Zealand’s foreign minister, Winston Peters, echoed Jaishankar’s sentiments, highlighting the rise of protectionism globally and the need for countries to adapt to a world in flux. “The world we once sought to build is changing, and we must evolve with it,” he said.
These statements reflect a shared understanding among India, Australia, and New Zealand that the geopolitical landscape is shifting, and that they must work collectively to establish a stable, cooperative global environment in response to the changing role of the United States on the world stage.
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