November 6, 2024: The United States is set to become increasingly isolationist, regardless of who wins the ongoing presidential election, India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, said in a statement on Wednesday. Speaking at a panel discussion in Canberra, Jaishankar noted that the US has been moving in this direction for over a decade, a trend he attributed to both political and strategic shifts within the country.
Jaishankar highlighted that the United States’ global engagement has become more cautious since the presidency of Barack Obama, who began reducing US military involvement abroad. He pointed to key events such as the US's withdrawal from Afghanistan under President Joe Biden as signs of a broader retreat from the global stage.
"The US has been much more cautious about its global commitments since the Obama era," Jaishankar explained. "And I don’t think the upcoming election will change this trajectory. Whether it's President Trump or someone else, I believe this isolationist shift will continue."
Jaishankar also referenced the more explicit rhetoric of former President Donald Trump, who openly advocated for America First policies, and suggested that even if a different candidate takes office, the broader trend toward nationalism and skepticism about foreign interventions will persist.
"It's important to look at the US more nationally, than purely in terms of the ideology of the administration of the day," Jaishankar said. He emphasized that the long-term shift reflects deeper structural changes in American politics, which increasingly favor domestic priorities over global leadership.
Looking ahead, Jaishankar warned that countries, including India, must prepare for a world where the "dominance and generosity" the US exhibited in the past may no longer be a given.
Despite this, Jaishankar was optimistic about India's future relations with the United States. He stated on Tuesday that he expected the strategic partnership between the two nations to only grow stronger in the coming years, irrespective of the US's more inward-focused policies.
The panel discussion, which also included foreign ministers from Australia and New Zealand, centered on the changing dynamics of global governance. Jaishankar, alongside his counterparts, emphasized the need for like-minded nations to work together to foster a more collaborative and consensual international environment.
"There is more protectionism," said New Zealand's Winston Peters, reflecting on the global trend of rising nationalist sentiment. "The world we were once trying to build on is changing, and we'll have to react and adapt to it."
Jaishankar also expressed concern about the shifting global order, underscoring that countries like India, Australia, and New Zealand must play an active role in shaping the future of international relations.
The comments come at a time of heightened global uncertainty, as countries navigate economic, political, and security challenges on multiple fronts.