External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has urged Commonwealth countries to strengthen economic cooperation by building resilient and diversified supply chains, arguing that trusted trade networks and improved connectivity are essential for navigating an increasingly uncertain global economy.
Addressing the Commonwealth Heads of Government and Business Leaders Breakfast on the sidelines of the CHOGM 2026 summit, Jaishankar stressed the need to reduce vulnerabilities in global trade by creating shorter, more reliable supply routes and strengthening local distribution networks across member states.
His remarks come at a time when countries worldwide are reassessing supply chain dependencies in the wake of geopolitical tensions, trade disruptions and growing concerns over economic security.
Jaishankar said Commonwealth nations should move beyond historical and cultural ties to deepen practical economic partnerships, adding that enhanced connectivity corridors would facilitate trade, investment and business opportunities across the group’s geographically diverse membership.
The External Affairs Minister also highlighted the importance of vocational training and capacity building, describing skills development as a key tool for expanding economic opportunities and improving workforce competitiveness among member countries.
Pointing to India’s global business presence, he said the Indian diaspora and business community represent a significant economic asset that could help strengthen commercial linkages within the Commonwealth framework.
Emphasising the transformative potential of technology, Jaishankar said digital public infrastructure and technology-driven solutions could improve governance, increase efficiency and accelerate economic growth. His comments aligned with India’s broader effort to promote digital cooperation and technology partnerships across the developing world.
He also called for greater collaboration on climate resilience and sustainable development through initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), urging Commonwealth countries to leverage existing multilateral platforms to confront climate-related challenges collectively.
The remarks reinforce India’s push for a more economically integrated and technologically connected Commonwealth, with resilient supply chains, digital innovation and climate cooperation forming key pillars of New Delhi’s engagement strategy.
