'In Midst Of Political Rebalancing': After G20 Summit Success, Jaishankar Says India Expanding Its Influence

EAM S Jaishankar described India's increasing global influence as a "return of history" during his remarks on Wednesday.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday articulated a vision of India's growing influence and responsibilities on the global stage, characterising it as a "return of history." Speaking at an exhibition of manuscripts organised by SAMHiTA (South Asian Manuscript Histories and Textual Archive) at the India International Centre,  Jaishankar underlined India's evolving role in the international order.

"We are seeing what I would call a return of history," said Jaishankar, "A return of history in terms of a civilization state, India, expanding its influence, increasing its weight in the global order, building many more relationships, and taking on more responsibilities," quoted as saying by news agency ANI. 

Jaishankar highlighted the ongoing process of economic rebalancing, which led to the formation of the G20, and pointed to the current phase of political rebalancing, especially in discussions regarding the reform of the United Nations. He described cultural rebalancing as an equally significant facet, emphasizing the need to rediscover and nurture the connections and influences that India has cultivated over many centuries.

"Cultural rebalancing is not something that I would treat as an assertion," he explained, "but rather as a rediscovery of the connections and influences that we had built up over many many centuries."

Jaishankar praised the initiative to make manuscripts more accessible, acknowledging India's status as the largest repository of such historical documents, asserting that it aligns with the broader effort to introduce the world to India's rich traditions and culture.

Earlier this week, Jaishankar praised India's G20 presidency, emphasising its role in shaping global issues and fostering consensus. During the two-day event, he emphasised that the G20 summit maintained a focus on the Global South and highlighted contemporary achievements.

On the first day of the summit, member countries endorsed the G20 Roadmap for Implementing the Recommendations of the G20 Independent Review of Multilateral Development Banks' (MDBs') Capital Adequacy Frameworks. They advocated for aggressive implementation while adhering to MDB governance frameworks, ensuring long-term financial sustainability, maintaining strong credit ratings, and maintaining preferred creditor status. This declaration cemented India's position as a powerful voice in international affairs.