Jaishankar Stresses Self-Reliance, South-South Cooperation Amid Global Challenges

Last Updated:September 25, 2025, 20:38 IST

Jaishankar stressed self-reliance, technology, multipolarity, and South-South cooperation as key to tackling global challenges and reshaping trade and development.

EAM Dr S Jaishankar. (X)

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Thursday underscored the growing interconnectedness of self-reliance, technological advancement, multipolarity, and South-South cooperation amid uncertain global challenges, saying that these elements are actively reinforcing one another.

While participating in a discussion on “At The Heart of Development: Aid, Trade & Technology", organised by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in New York, the Union Minister Jaishankar said that the global push for self-reliance is fostering innovation and interdependence among emerging economies.

He also highlighted the emergence of a global workforce that is adapting swiftly to contemporary technological and economic requirements.

The EAM also said that the changing global landscape has forced international trade to find new ways to overcome tariff and non-tariff barriers. This shift is creating new trade patterns and priorities by leveraging the efficiencies of digital and physical networks.

The Union Minister also pointed to the rise of new trade arrangements and multilateral understandings driven by emerging concerns.

Earlier on Wednesday, Jaishankar urged Global South countries to reduce dependence on any single supplier or market by building resilient supply chains, alongside promoting fair economic practices, and boosting South-South trade and technology collaborations.

While addressing a high-level meeting of Like-Minded Global South Countries on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly here on Tuesday, Jaishankar said, “We meet in increasingly uncertain times, when the state of the world is a cause for mounting concern for member states."

The Global South, he said, in particular, is confronted with a set of challenges, from pandemic shocks and wars in Ukraine and Gaza to extreme climate events, volatile trade, uncertainty in investment flows and interest rates, and the “catastrophic" slowing down of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) agenda.

He also said the Global South must present a united front in demanding a level playing field in the international system.

He also asserted that the developing countries must "democratise" production through fair and transparent economic practices, ensure a stable environment for balanced and sustainable economic interactions, including more South-South trade and investment, and push for an urgent resolution of conflicts that are impacting food, fertiliser, and energy security.

Jaishankar arrived in New York on Sunday for the UN General Assembly session this week, commencing his engagements with a bilateral meeting with the Philippines Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Theresa P Lazaro.

He will deliver the national statement at the General Debate on September 27 from the iconic green UNGA podium.

(With inputs from agencies)

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