George Yeo Says India’s Diversity Makes Foreigners Feel More at Home
Former Singapore foreign minister George Yeo said India’s diversity, geography and centuries of cultural exchange can make the country more familiar and comfortable for foreigners than China.
Former Singapore foreign minister George Yeo said India’s diversity and history of cultural exchange give foreigners a sense of familiarity that they may not experience in China.
Speaking alongside External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at the fifth Kautilya Economic Conclave in New Delhi, Yeo pointed to India’s geography and centuries of movement across the Indian Ocean. He said the exchange of people, cultures, spices and ideas had contributed to the country’s diverse character.
Yeo contrasted this with what he described as a more homogeneous environment in China, arguing that foreigners in India can find “niches” and “comfort zones” that make the country easier to navigate culturally. His comments were part of a wider discussion on India’s position in a changing global order.
He also said India’s large domestic market and ability to maintain relationships with different major powers have strengthened its international position. Countries including the US, Europe, Japan and Southeast Asia have an interest in India’s economic success, he suggested.
Jaishankar described the current period as an “age of flux”, marked by geopolitical tensions, conflicts and tariff volatility. He said India must navigate these uncertainties while strengthening partnerships and maintaining strategic flexibility.
He also highlighted India’s role in articulating concerns of the Global South and called for reform of multilateral institutions, including the United Nations.
The discussion ultimately focused on a world becoming more multipolar—and India trying to stay flexible while the geopolitical furniture keeps moving.
