Priyanka Tiwari
Share
Speaking at the Carnegie Global Tech Summit 2025 in New Delhi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated that the United States has significantly altered its global engagement, particularly in the technology sector. He directly linked this shift to U.S. President Donald Trump’s "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) policy, highlighting how central technology has become in driving U.S. geopolitical strategy.
Tech at the Core of MAGA
Jaishankar emphasized that the current phase of U.S. global strategy marks a clear departure from previous years. While the U.S. has always played a major role in technological advancement, he noted that its latest focus is far more strategic. “Tech has a big role in making America great again,” he said, adding that this connection is now more explicit than during Trump’s first term.
He observed that technology is not just a tool for economic growth but also a primary instrument of global influence for the U.S., shaping alliances, trade, and security.
China and the Shifting Geopolitical Order
Turning to China, Jaishankar acknowledged the country’s technological progress and geopolitical evolution. Rather than a sudden shift, he described China's rise as a continuous unfolding that is quietly yet significantly altering global dynamics.
He stressed the dual transformation being driven by both the U.S. and China, saying the world is experiencing changes that are both dramatic and evolutionary in nature.
Europe’s Lost Triangulation Strategy
Addressing Europe’s changing global position, Jaishankar said the continent no longer enjoys the strategic balance it once held. He referred to Europe’s former ability to balance its relations with the U.S., Russia, and China as a unique geopolitical advantage that has since eroded. “Today, every side of that triangle is under stress,” he remarked.
Summit Theme: Sambhavna and the 'T' Words
Jaishankar praised the summit’s theme, Sambhavna (possibilities), as a fitting reflection of India’s outlook in a changing world. He humorously referred to the summit’s focus on “the other T word”—hinting at tariffs—following its primary focus on technology.
He underscored that the combination of these forces—technology and trade policies—is transforming the global stage more rapidly than ever before.
