Jaishankar Calls For Stronger Cooperation Among Emerging, Middle Powers At Munich Meet

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has called for stronger collaboration among emerging and middle powers as global economic and strategic realities continue to evolve.

Key Takeaways

Speaking at the opening session of the Munich Leaders Meeting 2026, Jaishankar identified several sectors where these countries could combine their strengths and resources. His proposed areas of cooperation included international peace and security, investment, trade, resilient supply chains, healthcare, talent mobility, connectivity, climate action and defence.

Jaishankar pointed to the India-European Union engagement as evidence of the growing need for stronger economic partnerships. He said prolonged negotiations eventually reflected a shared understanding that changing global conditions required deeper economic integration and the removal of trade barriers.

The Minister underlined the importance of moving skilled workers between countries, particularly as demographic patterns and centres of demand increasingly diverge. He added that advanced manufacturing would require greater mobility of specialised talent to remain viable.

Jaishankar said countries could use their individual capabilities to build more reliable and diversified supply chains. He highlighted semiconductors as one sector where nations with specialised strengths could contribute without being among the world’s largest economies.

The Minister identified healthcare as another priority, arguing that health security requires wider geographical production of active pharmaceutical ingredients and medicines.

Jaishankar said emerging and middle powers could expand cooperation on connectivity and climate-related challenges. He further noted that climate change affects a large part of the world, creating a strong incentive for countries to coordinate their responses.

The Minister further pointed to defence as an industry undergoing significant structural changes, with new producers emerging across different regions.

Jaishankar concluded that these developments have created a wider platform for cooperation among emerging and middle powers. He said the changing global landscape requires a new approach and expressed hope that the Munich meeting would provide greater direction and purpose for future deliberations.

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