India’s Foreign Minister, S. Jaishankar, recently spoke at the 2024 NDTV World Summit, offering some powerful insights into how global power dynamics are shifting. According to Jaishankar, the world is no longer dominated by just a few Western countries. Instead, non-Western nations like India and China are rising in influence, and this is making the West uncomfortable. He pointed out that forums like BRICS (a group that includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) are now challenging the traditional global order where Western countries hold most of the power.
The Rise of a Multipolar World
In the last 25 years, the world has become what Jaishankar describes as “multipolar.” This means that power is now more evenly distributed among different countries, rather than being concentrated in the hands of a few Western nations like the U.S. or those in Europe. Countries from Asia, Africa, and South America are asserting their influence and opinions on the global stage. Jaishankar explained that this shift is natural, as the world becomes more diverse and different nations push for their voices to be heard.
However, he also noted that this shift has led to tension. As non-Western countries gain influence, there’s more disagreement and friction between them and the West. For example, India and China, two major players in BRICS, are increasingly making their own decisions, often challenging the ideas or policies of Western countries.
The West’s Discomfort and Colonial Mindset
According to Jaishankar, part of the reason why the West is struggling with this shift is rooted in a “colonial mindset.” For centuries, many Western nations ruled over large parts of the world, and this gave them a sense of superiority. Now, as countries like India and China rise, the West is finding it hard to adjust to the idea that they are no longer the only ones calling the shots. Jaishankar even suggested that this discomfort could be linked to lingering racial biases, where some Western countries may find it difficult to accept non-Western nations as equal powers.
Forums like BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), and ASEAN are giving non-Western countries a platform to challenge the West’s dominance. The West still doesn’t fully recognize the effectiveness of these forums, which is why they feel threatened by their growing influence.
The Double Standards of the West
Jaishankar didn’t stop at just the broader global power shift. He also pointed out the double standards Western countries sometimes show in their dealings with India. A clear example he mentioned is Canada. Recently, Canada launched a criminal probe into India’s high commissioner, accusing Indian agents of harming Canadian citizens. At the same time, Jaishankar highlighted that Canadian diplomats are freely gathering intelligence on India’s military and police, profiling people without restrictions—something Indian diplomats are not allowed to do in Canada.
This, Jaishankar argued, shows a hypocritical stance. On one hand, countries like Canada and the U.S. claim to be India’s allies, but on the other, they allow groups like Khalistani separatists, who want an independent Sikh homeland, to operate freely on their soil. These groups, which India considers terrorists, are often protected or ignored by Western nations.
Many individuals who are labeled terrorists by India are living in Western countries without any repercussions. This hypocrisy, according to Jaishankar, undermines the credibility of these Western nations.
BRICS as a Tool for India
One of the key points Jaishankar made was that India could use BRICS as a powerful tool to address its own issues. For example, the rise of Khalistani extremism—groups pushing for a separate Sikh state—has become a serious concern for India. Recently, there were bomb blasts near a CRPF school in Delhi, and many of these incidents have been linked to external groups like the Khalistani Liberation Force, which operates out of Canada and other Western countries. By using the BRICS platform, India can expose the double standards of the West in dealing with terrorism and separatism.
Western nations like the U.S. and Canada have allowed Khalistani militants to operate freely on their territories, undermining India’s sovereignty. This negligence has led to troubling consequences, such as the recent bombing in Delhi. International forums like BRICS and the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) could help India address these threats.
A New World Order
Jaishankar’s message was clear: the days of Western dominance are fading. The world is now more multipolar, with different countries gaining power and influence. As nations like India and China continue to rise, they are challenging the Western world order, creating a more balanced global stage. But this shift is not without its challenges. The West, still clinging to its past influence, is finding it hard to adapt.
In the coming years, this tension between the West and non-Western countries is likely to continue. But one thing is certain: India, through platforms like BRICS, will play a major role in shaping the future of global politics. And as Jaishankar made clear, India will not bow to pressure from the West. Instead, it will chart its own course, asserting its influence in a rapidly changing world.
This evolving global landscape is something to watch closely. With countries like India leading the charge, the balance of power is shifting, and the world may never be the same again.
