“If We Stay Silent, We Get Pushed”: Jaishankar On Why India Speaks Up Globally

Describing India’s evolving global stance, S Jaishankar said the country’s foreign policy has become more assertive, civilizational in outlook and reflective of national sentiment. He explained that in a fast-changing, multipolar and highly competitive world, diplomacy now resembles coalition politics, where shifting alignments demand agility and constant recalibration. Jaishankar stressed that India’s guiding principle remains clear whatever serves national interest. He added that while silence can be strategic, there are moments when speaking up is essential to counter pressure, double standards and unfair narratives, ensuring India is not pushed onto the defensive.