External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar highlighted the changing trends in global employment, stating that the emergence of a global workforce will adjust to contemporary requirements.
Jaishankar was speaking at the annual Observer Research Foundation (ORF) online panel discussion in New York on the theme “The Heart of Development: Aid, Trade & Technology.”
He shared insightful perspectives on navigating global uncertainty, highlighting four key trends: the interconnected growth drivers of self-reliance, technology adoption, multipolarity, and South-South cooperation, which are mutually reinforcing and shaping a new global landscape; and the evolution of the global workforce adapting to contemporary needs, reflecting shifts in skills, mobility, and digital capabilities.
He also highlighted resilient trade pathways to overcome tariff and non-tariff barriers, leveraging physical and digital efficiencies to forge new priorities and flows, and adaptive trade arrangements. Emphasising the trends that will define the future, he said: “Self-reliance, technology, multi-polarity and South-South cooperation all reinforce each other.”
EAM Dr S Jaishankar tweets, "Joined the annual ORF panel discussion in New York on the topic ‘The Heart of Development: Aid, Trade & Technology’. Highlighted that as the world faces uncertainty, we will see: Self-reliance, technology, multi-polarity and South-South cooperation… pic.twitter.com/rqjTmYhfQb
— ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2025
He further turned to the subject of trade, pointing to how economies will adapt in the face of challenges. “Trade finding a way to overcome tariff and non-tariff barriers, creating new priorities and flows and leveraging physical and digital efficiencies,” he stated.
Expanding on the possible long-term implications, Jaishankar cautioned against potential restrictions, referencing a dip in US favourability in India following Operation Sindoor, and urged consideration of these dynamics beyond immediate political priorities.
