Jaishankar at CHOGM: Commonwealth must de-risk supply chains, diversify trade
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has urged Commonwealth partners to “de-risk and diversify” their economies and supply chains, saying member countries need shorter, trusted supply chains and stronger local distribution.
Mr. Jaishankar arrived in St. John’s on Tuesday to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). The summit is the Commonwealth’s highest consultative gathering and brings together heads of government and business leaders to discuss trade, investment and cooperation among member states.
After attending a breakfast meeting of Commonwealth heads of government and business leaders on Wednesday, Mr. Jaishankar posted on social media that Commonwealth partners “also need to de-risk and diversify. This requires shorter and trusted supply chains.”
He said member countries should make greater efforts to enhance local distribution and added that more connectivity corridors are good for business. He also called for promoting training and capacity building, saying it gives partners more options.
The External Affairs Minister described the Indian business community spread across the world as an asset for the Commonwealth. He said India’s experience with digital public infrastructure shows how digital tools can support efficiency, good governance and growth. “Digital is a game changer as it promotes efficiency, good governance and growth,” he said.
On climate action, Mr. Jaishankar said the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure can be leveraged. Sharing India’s experience in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), he said first-responder experiences and HADR activities suggest the need for local hubs.
He said comfort within Commonwealth nations “can build business for growth and prosperity”, and that mobility of skills can be an important focus for the grouping. The theme of this year’s CHOGM is accelerating partnerships and investment for a prosperous Commonwealth.
The comments come amid wider international discussions on supply-chain resilience. Governments and businesses have debated how to reduce exposure to concentrated dependencies after disruptions in recent years. Mr. Jaishankar’s formulation ties that policy debate to trusted partners, shorter chains and better connectivity within the Commonwealth.
The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of member states from different regions and levels of development. Its meetings often focus on trade, climate action, skills, sustainable development and institutional cooperation. Mr. Jaishankar’s remarks linked India’s priorities in these areas to the summit’s economic agenda.
India has been promoting its digital public infrastructure model in international forums, presenting it as a way to improve delivery of public services. The Minister’s remarks placed that experience alongside the summit’s focus on good governance and growth.
The Commonwealth includes small island developing states and other vulnerable countries that are particularly exposed to climate risks. Mr. Jaishankar’s references to solar energy and disaster-resilient infrastructure connected India’s climate initiatives with the grouping’s wider discussions on resilience.
On the sidelines, Mr. Jaishankar met the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Andy Burnham, and the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese. He said he discussed the India–U.K. Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with Mr. Burnham. “Discussed strengthening our economic partnership in the context of CETA, as well as the global landscape,” Mr. Jaishankar posted.
The CETA discussions were among several bilateral engagements Mr. Jaishankar held during the summit.
