During the Carnegie Global Tech Summit 2025, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar delved into the evolving role of technology in global politics, highlighting a significant shift in the United States’ worldview over the past year. He pointed out how America’s altered approach under President Donald Trump, specifically the MAGA (Make America Great Again) agenda, is increasingly intertwined with technology.
Jaishankar emphasized that the tech sector now plays a critical role in Trump’s strategy for national resurgence. While the link between MAGA and technology may not have been as obvious during Trump’s first term, it has become undeniable in recent times. He remarked that as the world’s largest economy and a leader in technological innovation, the US’s pivot will deeply affect the global tech environment.
The minister also touched on China’s steady advancement, noting it has become a major development shaping global affairs. Unlike the US, whose changes appear more sudden, China’s rise seems more like an unfolding story—less dramatic but equally impactful. He reflected that, until recently, Europe was in a strong geopolitical position, effectively balancing relations with the US, China, and Russia. Today, however, each leg of that strategic triangle faces immense pressure.
Injecting humor into the serious conversation, Jaishankar pointed out that while technology was the obvious ‘T’ word in focus, the conference also needed to address another important ‘T’—tariffs. He encouraged attendees to think critically about how both these T’s—tech and tariffs—are influencing the new global landscape.
He further remarked on the event’s theme, “Sambhavna” (meaning ‘possibilities’ in Hindi), stating it aptly captured India’s perspective on the world. In an age defined by rapid technological transformation and shifting power dynamics, the idea of possibilities reflects not only India’s vision but also the broader direction the world seems to be heading in—beginning, as he noted, with the changes unfolding in the United States.
