S. Jaishankar defines global landscape via competition, conflict, and choke points

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar described the current global landscape as being defined by three ‘Cs’: competition, conflict, and choke points. Speaking at the Economic Times World Leaders Forum 2026, Jaishankar noted that intense competition between nations is increasingly escalating into direct conflict.

He highlighted the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and the instability in West Asia as primary examples of these tensions. Jaishankar also warned of the rise of ‘choke points,’ where dominant countries weaponize economic and strategic tools to exert pressure on others.

To navigate these challenges, he proposed a ‘four-D’ strategy: derisking, diversification, dealing with distortions, and building a margin of safety.