United Nations, September 29 (Daily Kiran) : Dr. S. Jaishankar, India’s Foreign Minister, met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on September 29. Their discussion focused on reducing ongoing conflicts around the world, particularly concerning issues affecting the Global South.
Jaishankar expressed his pleasure in meeting Guterres, emphasizing the need to address the impacts of current disputes. He highlighted that India’s approach to strategic autonomy—making independent decisions based on national interests—mirrors the current practices of the United States in managing relationships with multiple countries.
During an event in New York prior to the meeting, Jaishankar remarked, “What was once said about us, Washington is now doing with enthusiasm.” He pointed out that the U.S. is engaging with China, Russia, Ukraine, and other parts of Asia and Europe simultaneously.
He noted that Washington is now adopting a strategy that India has long practiced. When questioned about India’s strategic autonomy, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Russell referenced a common saying in America: “chewing gum and walking.” This implies handling multiple tasks at once. Jaishankar humorously added, “I think there is a large supply of that gum in Washington.”
This was a nod to the U.S. trying to juggle various relationships and interests, sometimes conflicting, under President Donald Trump’s leadership. Jaishankar emphasized that once Washington takes a step forward, it becomes a global issue.
He recalled a time when countries like India were advised not to maintain too many options and to focus their relationships on a single country. In contrast, the U.S. has always retained multiple options due to its status as a global power. Jaishankar concluded that the pretense of exclusivity in relationships has ended, with nations now openly engaging with one another.
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