‘India’s rise unstoppable’

When we speak about the rise of countries, the rise of India will be determined by India

S Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister 

metro india news  I new delhi

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday said India’s rise on the global stage is “unstoppable” and asserted that the trajectory of the country’s growth will be determined by its own strengths and decisions rather than the policies or mistakes of other nations.

Speaking at the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, Jaishankar said the rise of any country is ultimately shaped by its own capabilities and actions. He stressed that India’s growth story will be driven by domestic strength and national priorities.

“When we speak about the rise of countries, the rise of India will be determined by India,” he said during a discussion on cooperation among countries in the Indian Ocean region. He added that India’s progress will depend on its own strengths and not on the “mistakes of others”.

His remarks came days after US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said Washington would not repeat what he described as the mistake of giving China the kind of economic advantages that helped Beijing emerge as a strong competitor to the United States.

Jaishankar also highlighted India’s expanding role in the Indian Ocean region. While describing India as a net security provider in the region, he said the strategic realities of the area must also be recognised. Referring to the presence of global powers in the region, he mentioned military bases at Diego Garcia, Djibouti and Hambantota.

Amid recent tensions in the region, Jaishankar confirmed that India allowed an Iranian naval vessel, IRIS Lavan, to dock at Kochi earlier this week on humanitarian grounds.

According to the minister, India received a message from Iran stating that the ship was facing technical difficulties and needed urgent access to a nearby port. India approved the request on March 1 and the vessel sailed into Kochi on March 4.

The ship is carrying 183 crew members, who are currently being accommodated at Indian naval facilities while the vessel remains docked at the port.

The development came days before the United States reportedly torpedoed and sank another Iranian warship, the frigate IRIS Dena.

Jaishankar also stressed the importance of respecting international maritime law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, while discussing stability and cooperation in the Indian Ocean region.

While acknowledging that India faces certain challenges in its growth journey, he said the direction of the country’s rise is clear. Countries that choose to work with India will benefit from deeper cooperation, he noted.

Meanwhile, Landau had also indicated that the United States is keen to expand ties with India and said that a proposed trade agreement between the two countries is close to completion.

His remarks came amid political debate in India after the US granted a 30-day waiver allowing India to continue purchasing Russian crude oil despite sanctions. Opposition parties have criticised the move, but the government has maintained that energy procurement decisions are guided by national interest and supply stability.