Rishi Sunak Discusses Independent Foreign Policy at New Economy Forum

Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, remarked that nations such as India and those in the Gulf region are increasingly capable of making independent foreign policy decisions and charting their own course in global affairs. He made these comments during a panel discussion titled "The End of Predictability" at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum 2026, held in New Delhi, India. Sunak also identified China as a significant new feature of the global economy, emerging as a peer competitor to the US in economic, military, and technological spheres.

Sunak's statements underscore a perceived shift in the international economic order, moving away from a previously established multilateral, rules-based framework. He suggested that India could significantly benefit as countries globally seek to diversify supply chains and reduce reliance on China, looking for trusted partners. The Bloomberg New Economy Forum 2026, themed "A World in Play: Defining the New Levers of Power," is scheduled from October 13 to 15.