Jaishankar warns against zero-sum world as ‘entrenched powers’ lose competitive edge

India’s External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Thursday cautioned against the growing tendency of nations to view global economic competition as a “zero-sum game”, saying that some established powers are finding it difficult to adjust to shifting global realities.

Delivering the keynote address at the 21st Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity in Jeju, South Korea, Jaishankar said the current global turbulence reflects a challenge to the idea of international cooperation and shared prosperity.

“Some entrenched powers find it hard to come to terms with a loss of competitiveness. The international economy then becomes a zero-sum game,” Jaishankar said.

Highlighting India’s civilisational approach towards global engagement, the External Affairs Minister invoked the principle of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’—the world is one family.

“In India, we know that traditionally, as Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, the world is a family. Much of the current turbulence that we see around us today is when forces in societies challenge that very belief,” he said.

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His remarks come at a time when the world is witnessing rising trade tensions, geopolitical conflicts and debates over economic nationalism. Jaishankar underlined that cooperation, rather than confrontation, remains essential to address global challenges.

The External Affairs Minister has repeatedly emphasised the need for a more balanced and multipolar global order, arguing that emerging economies must have a greater role in shaping international decisions.

The Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity brings together policymakers, diplomats and experts from across the world to discuss global security, economic cooperation and sustainable development.