Now Reading: Jaishankar urges ‘distrust and diversify’ for India Inc
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Jaishankar urges ‘distrust and diversify’ for India Inc
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has outlined a four-part strategy for businesses and policymakers to navigate global risks, speaking at the Economic Times World Leaders Forum 2026. He stressed the need to…
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has outlined a four-part strategy for businesses and policymakers to navigate global risks, speaking at the Economic Times World Leaders Forum 2026. He stressed the need to de-risk, diversify supply chains, prepare for market distortions, and move beyond just-in-time models by building safety buffers.
The Economic Times reported Jaishankar saying that de-risking is his 'biggest mantra' and that companies should avoid dependence on single suppliers or routes. He warned of distorted markets in energy, fertiliser, and shipping due to geopolitical choke points. The Times of India added that he framed the world order around three 'Cs': competition, conflict, and the weaponisation of economic leverage.
On China, Jaishankar said India must continue doing business with Beijing while strengthening domestic manufacturing to compete confidently. He noted that India-China relations faced a difficult period from 2020 to 2024 but that both sides have an interest in stable ties. He urged India to make up for decades of shortcomings in building its industrial base.
Indian Opinion Analysis
Both sources report Jaishankar's core message of de-risking and diversification without editorial slant. The Economic Times focused on his business-facing advice on supply chains and cost assumptions, while the Times of India gave more space to his geopolitical framing, the '3Cs' and the need to deal with China confidently. Neither outlet challenged or praised his remarks, nor did they add critical context about the government's own trade dependencies. The coverage is uniform and straight: the minister's speech is the story. The key detail to watch is whether the government's policy actions on supply chain diversification and industrial self-reliance align with this stated mantra in the coming budget or trade deals.
Coverage: 2 sources, 2 neutral
Sources (2): economictimes.indiatimes.com (neutral report), timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report)
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
