'We are living through a period of profound transformation': S Jaishankar on de-risking, technology and a global workforce

India-EU ties deepen amid global workforce shift

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday said the global economy is undergoing a deep and disruptive shift, with countries increasingly focused on de-risking supply chains and adapting to rapid technological change.

Speaking at the launch of the European Legal Gateway Office in New Delhi, Jaishankar said, “We are living through a period of profound transformation in the global economy. De-risking is a growing priority. Supply chains are being reconfigured. Technology is reshaping work. Demographics are diverging sharply across geographies.”

“The concept of a global workforce is an emerging reality,” he added. “Countries that can connect talent flows with seizing opportunity, while ensuring legality, transparency and fairness, will be best positioned to navigate this transition.”

Jaishankar said India is increasingly emerging as a major contributor to global talent pools, pointing to discussions at the India AI Impact Summit, which focused on the capacity of artificial intelligence to bridge divides, accelerate growth and enable social progress at scale.

Highlighting the momentum in India’s engagement with the European Union, Jaishankar said, “India’s partnership with the EU is promising not just because of our shared values, but because we see each other today as natural and preferred partners with more strategic convergence than ever before.”

He said the recent free trade agreement, the Security and Defence Partnership and outcomes of the India-EU Summit had laid out a clear roadmap for the future. “The adoption of the towards 2030 Joint Comprehensive Strategic Agenda at the Summit really opens up a new chapter in our ties, a chapter towards mutual prosperity, security, and sustainability,” he said.

Calling the launch of the Legal Gateway Office timely, Jaishankar said it came at a “defining moment” in India-EU relations. He noted that the recent Republic Day visit by the presidents of the European Council and the European Commission reflected the growing depth and confidence in the partnership.

“The European Legal Gateway Office is not just a facilitation for entry into Europe; it is a bridge between our societies, an expression of our trust, and an investment in a shared global workforce that is skilled, mobile, and resilient,” he said.

“It will serve as an enabler, one that brings predictability and clarity to mobility pathways across the European Union.”

What the legal gateway office will do

The office was inaugurated in the presence of Jaishankar and Henna Virkkunen, the EU’s Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy. It is the first such office the EU has opened in a partner country.

Designed to facilitate safe, legal and well-informed mobility, the initiative will focus on the ICT sector, helping Indian students, researchers and professionals understand opportunities, qualification frameworks and pathways across all 27 EU member states. It will also assist European employers and universities seeking to engage with Indian talent.