India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said global fragmentation is a permanent feature of international affairs and should not be viewed negatively.
This perspective suggests a shift in how major powers approach diplomacy, moving away from the pursuit of a monolithic global order toward a more pluralistic system. By accepting fragmentation, nations may find more sustainable ways to coexist despite diverging political and economic interests.
Jaishankar said these remarks during his keynote address at the Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity 2026 [1] on Jeju Island, South Korea [1]. He said that the international community must recognize this fragmentation as a lasting reality to maintain stability in the future [1].
The minister's address comes at a time of increasing tension between global blocs. Rather than viewing the breakdown of universal consensus as a failure, Jaishankar presented it as a condition that must be managed. He said that attempting to force a singular global vision may be counterproductive to peace.
During the forum, he said that stability does not require total uniformity. Instead, the ability to navigate a fragmented landscape allows different regions to pursue their own developmental and security priorities without constant friction.
The Jeju Forum serves as a primary venue for discussing security and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. Jaishankar's comments reflect India's broader strategic autonomy, positioning the country as a bridge between different global interests [1].
“fragmentation is a permanent feature of global affairs”
Jaishankar's stance signals a departure from the post-Cold War ideal of a single, integrated global order. By framing fragmentation as a neutral or even necessary reality, India is advocating for a multipolar world where regional spheres of influence and diverse governance models coexist, reducing the pressure for total ideological alignment between East and West.
