All Things Policy Takeaways from Munich Security Conference
Feb 25, 2026
Manoj Kewalramani, chair of the Indo-Pacific Studies Programme and policy researcher, shares on-the-ground impressions from the Munich Security Conference. He discusses how Trump-era ideology shaped conversations in Europe. He analyzes reactions to Marco Rubio, Europe's strategic posture, sectoral plurilaterals for India, supply-chain diversification thresholds, and opportunity-driven biotech cooperation.
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Rubio Framed Policy As Civilizational Defense
- Marco Rubio framed US policy as defending a Western Christian civilisation rather than focusing on Russia or China.
- Manoj Kewalramani noted Rubio emphasised cultural values, lectured Europe, and largely avoided Ukraine or conventional geopolitics.
MAGA Foreign Policy Is Not Monolithic
- MAGA foreign-policy views split between isolationists, sphere-of-influence proponents, and a paramountcy worldview.
- Manoj explained these are distinct currents: some want withdrawal, others ideological blocs, others US preeminence without liberal norms.
Starmer Urged Rebalance Not Rupture With US
- UK’s Keir Starmer sought to reassure Europe to stay close to the US while rethinking the partnership's contours.
- Manoj said Starmer balanced gratitude for US indispensability with calls for European industrial and defence reform.