As the United States' presidential election picking up momentum, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar has shared insights into India-US relations, suggesting that America may adopt a more inward-focused approach regardless of who assumes office. Speaking during an event in Canberra, Jaishankar highlighted that the ongoing shift in US foreign policy is unlikely to reverse after the elections, marking a steady trend towards prioritizing domestic interests.
Jaishankar noted that the US has been cautious in its global commitments, citing the withdrawal from Afghanistan under President Joe Biden. “This cautious stance likely began during President Barack Obama’s administration,” he said. He added that former President Donald Trump emphasized this direction in a more vocal manner. According to Jaishankar, it’s essential to view US policy from a broader national perspective rather than through the ideological lens of any specific administration.
He emphasized that India and other nations must prepare for a global landscape where the US may no longer exhibit the same level of global influence and generosity seen in earlier times. All three foreign ministers present, including those of Australia and New Zealand, echoed the need for their nations to actively contribute to shaping the international order they envision.
New Zealand’s Foreign Minister, Winston Peters, also underscored this shift, remarking, "The world is changing, and we must adapt to it."
In a separate joint press conference with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Jaishankar credited former President Trump for revitalizing the QUAD alliance in 2017, a pivotal step in enhancing Indo-Pacific cooperation. He noted that India’s relationship with the US has strengthened steadily across the last five presidential terms, giving confidence that this partnership will continue to grow, irrespective of the election outcome.
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