Global order under churn, every region needs to look out for itself: Jaishankar

Amid global uncertainty, S Jaishankar emphasizes self-reliance and regional cooperation at BIMSTEC Ministerial in 2025.

Amid reciprocal tariffs announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday (April 3, 2025) said the world is moving to an era of self-help and every region needs to look out for itself.

Addressing the 20th BIMSTEC Ministerial, Mr. Jaishankar said shorter supply chains and immediate neighbours have a salience much more than before.

“The reality is that the world is moving to an era of self-help. Every region needs to look out for itself, whether it is in food, fuel and fertilizer supply, vaccines or speedy disaster response,” the Minister said.

“We are seeing that unfold before our very eyes. Times have indeed changed. Shorter supply chains and immediate neighbours have a salience much more than before,” Mr. Jaishankar said.

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While Mr. Jaishankar is here to attend the BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Ministerial, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will join the leaders from Thailand, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Myanmar and Bhutan to oversee the signing of the Agreement on Maritime Cooperation at the 6th BIMSTEC summit.

The Minister said the BIMSTEC Summit was taking place in “very uncertain and volatile times, when the global order itself is under visible churn.”