External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar recently remarked on the evolving dynamics of US-China relations, emphasizing their profound influence on global politics marked by rising competition and geopolitical risk. He noted the US’s assertive national interests versus China’s transitional phase in establishing its global initiatives, alongside shifting energy narratives with the US becoming a leading fossil fuel exporter while China leads in renewable technologies. Jaishankar highlighted the diminishing emphasis on the balance of power among major nations, which are increasingly willing to assert unilateral actions. This context underscores a paradoxical global environment characterized by heightened uncertainty and strategic complexity, indicating a significant shift in international relations that could affect global stability and cooperation.