Raipur, April 4 (IANS) External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Saturday urged the graduating class of IIM Raipur to embrace their role in building a developed India, even as the world grapples with unprecedented challenges such as pandemics, conflicts, and climate change.

Addressing the 15th Annual Convocation Ceremony as chief guest, Jaishankar congratulated the Class of 2026, describing the occasion as both a celebration of personal achievement and a moment for deeper reflection on the broader environment shaping their future.

“You belong to a generation destined to achieve the goal of Viksit Bharat,” he told the graduates. “You are beneficiaries of a solid decade of progress, with unprecedented access to technology, information, and globalisation that has deeply connected India to the world. Your skills will steer the nation towards greater prosperity.”

The minister, however, cautioned that the graduates are entering a period of rapid and structural change. He highlighted three major challenges of the decade — the Covid-19 pandemic, ongoing conflicts, and accelerating climate change — each of which has profoundly altered daily life, work patterns, and global interconnectedness.

“Conflicts now impact even distant societies, while extreme climate events and habitat loss pose serious short- and long-term threats,” he noted.

EAM Jaishankar pointed to deeper shifts in the global order, with changing power dynamics and rapid advances in technology, energy, military capabilities, and connectivity fuelling competition. “Everything today is being leveraged, if not weaponised,” he observed, leading nations and businesses to focus on hedging, de-risking, and diversification.

Despite these anxieties, the minister expressed strong optimism about India’s trajectory. “The prospects for young Indians today are far brighter than before. There is an optimism in our society that is missing in many parts of the world,” he said.

He credited the past decade of progress, India’s position among the top five economies, and its resilience in handling multiple global shocks. EAM Jaishankar emphasised that more inclusive growth, decisive leadership, and the enthusiastic adoption of digital tools — combined with a strong ‘can-do’ spirit among the youth and awareness of India’s heritage — have created a strong foundation.

“Technology and tradition are reinforcing each other,” he said.

He stressed the growing importance of building national capabilities, particularly in food, health, energy, and national security, under the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. While acknowledging the need for trusted partnerships in certain areas, he asserted that robust domestic capacities remain the most effective way to de-risk and create leverage.

The minister highlighted progress in ease of doing business, infrastructure development across highways, railways, ports, and airports, and the nurturing of skills, entrepreneurship, and startups.

He encouraged graduates to develop a deep understanding of global affairs, cultures, and complexities, noting that diplomacy and business are increasingly intertwined.

Drawing parallels between diplomacy and management, EAM Jaishankar outlined key traits for success, including good preparation, sound judgement, clear goals, negotiating skills, and the ability to prioritise core national interests with “India First” as the guiding compass.

In his parting advice, he urged the young managers to remain competitive, committed to continuous learning, and focused on building strong relationships and ethical values.

“Life is all about relationships and friendships — build, maintain, and nurture them,” he said.

Concluding with warm wishes, EAM Jaishankar told the graduates: “I wish you all the very best in life’s journey ahead, knowing that you will travel confidently, with high ambition and strong commitment.”

–IANS

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