EAM Jaishankar Opens Up On India’s Outlook For US Presidential Poll, Forecasts ‘Grim’ 5 Years — WATCH

EAM Jaishankar expressed concern about the current global situation, describing it as "exceptionally difficult" while opening up on India's outlook for the US Presidential Elections 2024.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressed confidence in India's ability to work with the next president of the United States, regardless of the election outcome. Speaking at the launch of Indiaspora's Impact report in New Delhi on Tuesday, Jaishankar highlighted that India would adapt to whoever assumes office after the upcoming US presidential elections.

"Generally, we don't comment on other people's elections because we also hope others don't comment on us. But the American system will throw up its verdict. And, I'm not saying this just as a formality, but if you look over the last 20-odd years, maybe a little bit more for us, we have every confidence that we will be able to work with the president of the United States, whoever he or she will be," Jaishankar remarked, as quoted by news agency ANI.

EAM Jaishankar's 'Grim' Forecast For Next 5 Years Amid Global Conflicts

Addressing the current global situation, Jaishankar described the world as going through an "exceptionally difficult period," citing ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Israel as key concerns. "I'm an optimistic person and generally tend to think of solutions to problems rather than the problems that come out of solutions. But I would say with a great deal of sobriety, that we are going through an exceptionally difficult period," he stated, adding that the forecast for the next five years appears "grim".

He elaborated on the challenges facing various regions, including Southeast Asia and East Asia, as well as the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. "The kind of economic challenges which you see in the world, you see more and more countries struggling. You know, their trade is getting difficult, facing foreign exchange shortages, so, you know, disruptions of various kinds," Jaishankar explained.

Additionally, Jaishankar drew attention to the impact of climate events, which he said are no longer just news but are causing globally disruptive consequences. "What was happening in the Red Sea, climate events which are no longer just news. I mean, they have globally disruptive consequences, and sometimes entire regions of countries being basically made dysfunctional," he noted.