External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar recently interacted with scholars from the 4th Kautilya Fellows Program 2025, focusing on India's increasing capabilities and its increasing engagement in the world as an economic actor, first responder, and development partner. He pointed to the changing international perception of India over the years.

On X, Jaishankar posted, "I was glad to join swapan55 for a conversation with scholars of the 4th Kautilya Fellows Program 2025. We had a discussion of India's emerging capabilities and our increasing contributions to the world as an economic actor, a development partner, a talent destination, and a first responder. We also had a discussion on how the perception of the world regarding India has evolved."
The 4th edition of India Foundation's prestigious year-long fellowship, the Kautilya Fellows Program, dedicated to Contemporary India Studies, was launched in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs. The program starts with a six-day on-site study in New Delhi and continues with virtual intellectual interactions during the course of the year, stated a release from the Consulate General of India, Houston.

On Sunday, EAM Jaishankar pointed to India's growing presence in polar regions, observing that the nation has been present in Antarctica for more than four decades and has lately increased its Arctic presence through a special policy and international cooperation.

He emphasized the importance of the Arctic, observing that being one of the world's youngest countries, India's future is directly tied to what happens in the region, which will have worldwide consequences. Speaking during the Arctic Circle India Forum 2025, he said, "Our engagement with the Arctic has been increasing, and we have had a historic presence in the Antarctic for over 40 years. Some time back, we had formed an Arctic policy and have understandings with KSAT in Svalbard, which are connected with our space missions. Since the country has the largest number of youth, whatever happens in the Arctic matters supremely to us. The direction of trends there will have consequences not only for us but for the entire globe."

Jaishankar went on to add, "The path of the Arctic will have worldwide effects, and that's why it is a matter of interest to all. Warming is opening up new channels, while advances intechnology and dynamics of resources are going to transform the global economy. That's especially relevant to India as our economic growth is gaining pace." He added that the destiny of the Arctic is very much connected with developments around the world, including the political shift of the United States.