Declining adherence to international rules is leading to the creation of new strategic “choke points” in global affairs, according to India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. Speaking at an Asia Society event in New York, Jaishankar highlighted how countries are increasingly using their leverage in strategic waterways, financial systems, and market access to compete in a more complex international environment.
Jaishankar pointed to geographical choke points such as the Strait of Hormuz and the use of financial restrictions through sanctions as examples of how nations exert influence. He also noted that travel and market-access restrictions are other forms of leverage being used by powerful countries. This, he explained, is part of a broader trend where competition and interdependence are shaping modern international relations.
The minister emphasized the growing tension between competition and interdependence, noting that while countries vie for strategic and economic advantages, their economies and supply chains remain deeply interconnected. This dynamic, he said, creates challenges for diplomacy as nations must balance their competitive desires with the practical constraints of global interdependence.
Jaishankar’s remarks underline the complexities facing international diplomacy today, where nations must navigate strategic rivalries while maintaining economic and political ties. This balance is becoming increasingly difficult to manage, as countries must weigh their competitive strategies against the backdrop of interconnected global systems.