Stories
India Does Not Threaten Major Powers Unlike China Says Ex-Singapore FM George Yeo
- •Singapore's former foreign minister George Yeo stated that India does not pose a threat to major powers in the way China does.
- •Speaking at the 5th Kautilya Economic Conclave, Yeo noted that countries like the US, Japan, Europe, and Southeast Asian nations want India to succeed.
- •He highlighted that India's rich history of cultural exchange and openness give foreigners a greater sense of comfort and familiarity compared to China.
- •Yeo explained that India's geographical position and diversity reflect the wider Indian Ocean region, allowing foreigners to easily find comfort zones.
- •India's strategy of maintaining relationships with various global powers while expanding its economy has strengthened its position in the new world order.
Key Questions Answered
Speaking at the 5th Kautilya Economic Conclave in New Delhi, former Singaporean foreign minister George Yeo stated that India is not threatening to major powers the way China is. He noted that countries like the US, Europe, Japan, and Southeast Asia want India to succeed because of its open cultural framework and strong economic footprint.
George Yeo explained that India's long history of cultural exchange and openness around the Indian Ocean gives foreigners a sense of familiarity and comfort. In contrast, he noted that visitors to China can feel like a foreigner isolated in a homogeneous sea.
Yeo highlighted India's ability to accommodate diverse cultures, maintain relationships with multiple major powers, expand its economic footprint, and leverage its large domestic market. These elements contribute to widespread international support for New Delhi's rise.
