Munich: During his recent statements, India’s External Affairs Minister (EAM) Jaishankar underscored the evolving trends in defence cooperation, noting a significant shift in arms supply dynamics favoring India over Pakistan. He emphasized the diversification of procurement sources, citing partnerships with the USA, Russia, France, and Israel as prime examples.
Speaking to Handelsblatt during the Munich Security Conference, Jaishankar addressed global economic imbalances, highlighting vulnerabilities exacerbated by events like COVID-19 and climate crises. He stressed the need for structural reforms to mitigate dependencies on a few nations for essential goods.
Moreover, Jaishankar outlined the multifaceted challenges confronting the global order, including geopolitical conflicts and environmental disruptions. He advocated for a reevaluation of international frameworks to ensure inclusivity and adaptability.
India’s strategic alliance with Russia, spanning defense and energy sectors, was underscored, emphasizing joint efforts in military technology, nuclear cooperation, and energy security. The collaboration on projects like the Kudankulam nuclear power plant signifies the depth of bilateral ties and mutual benefits.
Despite criticisms from Western quarters regarding India’s energy imports from Russia, Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s stance, emphasizing energy security and pragmatic diplomatic engagement.
