Bharat Matters

Whether drawing strength from its heritage and culture or approaching challenges with the optimism of democracy and technology, this is certainly a New India—an India that is more Bharat.

This is not just a tough world but also a turbulent and unpredictable one. It is marked by the impact of Covid, conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia, climate events, radicalization and terrorism. There is complex geopolitics at work, such as the rise of China, the changed posture of the United States, the strategy of Russia, the impact of globalization and the power of new technologies.

India seeks to navigate these stormy seas without diluting its focus on becoming a leading power. As a vishwa mitra, it seeks the well-being of the Global South and to contribute to global good. India is more salient in global calculations and stands ready to embrace coming responsibilities and opportunities. Entering the Amrit Kaal, it visualizes an era of growth and development while staying true to its traditions and heritage.

In Why Bharat Matters, S. Jaishankar argues that while rising powers seek stability most of all, India must plan to rise amidst serious unpredictability. This process is also exceptional as it represents the rejuvenation of a civilizational state. Simultaneously, he also explains why foreign policy in a globalized world matters increasingly to all citizens in their daily lives.

This book is a must-read for every Indian to understand and seriously reflect on the reality of our times that is becoming clearer with each passing day—that India matters because it is Bharat.

S. Jaishankar has been India’s External Affairs Minister since May 2019 and is currently a member of the Rajya Sabha representing Gujarat. He was India’s Foreign Secretary from 2015 to 2018. In a career spanning four decades in the Indian Foreign Service, he served as Ambassador to the United States, China and Czech Republic as well as High Commissioner to Singapore. His previous book, The India Way: Strategies for an Uncertain World, was published in 2020.