India’s Role in a Shifting Geopolitical Order: Challenges and Strategic Path Ahead

Amid a fragmented global order marked by U.S. unilateralism, EU protectionism, and China's regional dominance, India faces trust deficits with partners. A proactive, multi-aligned foreign policy is crucial to secure its strategic and economic interests.

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Context

  • As global geopolitics undergoes a major reset marked by strategic realignments, trade protectionism, and regional instability, India finds itself at a crossroads. To sustain its economic and technological rise, the editorial argues that India must adopt proactive, assertive geopolitical stance aligned with its national interests. 

BACKGROUND

  • The world is witnessing geopolitical flux: U.S. unilateralism, EU protectionism, and China’s regional activism.
  • India’s Operation Sindoor and retaliatory actions after the Pahalgam terror attack exposed the lukewarm response of India’s strategic partners
  • Western double standards on counter-terrorism, trade, and energy security are becoming evident. 
  • India’s historically cautious stance on global conflicts is now being tested. 

Challenges Highlighted

  • Erosion of Trust with Strategic Partners: The U.S. downplayed India’s narrative on cross-border terrorism; Trump took credit for ceasefire efforts post-Operation Sindoor. EU’s sanctions on Indian refineries and carbon/digital trade barriers continue despite its own Russian energy imports. 
  • Unpredictable U.S. Policy Actions: Imposition of 25% tariffs on the day of the NISAR satellite launch. Threats over Russian oil imports, despite the U.S. itself trading in Russian uranium, fertilizers, and palladium
  • EU’s Hypocrisy and India’s Trade Deadlock: EU imports Russian LNG but criticizes India. Carbon border tax and digital barriers stall progress on the India-EU Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement.
  • China’s Expanding Influence in South Asia: Trilateral groupings proposed with Pakistan and Bangladesh. Strategic investments near India’s Siliguri Corridor (e.g., Lalmonirhat airbase). Hydrological threats via a massive dam on the Brahmaputra (Yarlung Zangbo).
  • India’s Passive Foreign Policy Posture: Silence on Israel-Gaza, Israel-Iran conflicts, and American bombings. Neutrality on Ukraine interpreted as lack of geopolitical engagement. Marginal presence may undermine strategic autonomy and credibility.

Way Forward

  • Geopolitical Assertiveness: India must abandon passive neutrality and actively shape global conflict narratives where its interests are at stake
  • Realignment of Strategic Partnerships: Reduce dependency on any one bloc (U.S./EU/China); pursue multi-alignment, not non-alignment.
  • Trade and Technology Diplomacy: Conclude India-U.S. trade deal to prevent further erosion of trust and counterbalance Trump-era protectionism.
  •  Leverage Multilateral Platforms: Maximize presence in BRICS, SCO, East Asian forums to counteract exclusion from Western-dominated trade deals.
  • Recalibrate Neighborhood Engagement: Address China’s assertiveness by deepening ties with Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar through infrastructure, energy and security diplomacy. 
  • Proactive Energy & Supply Chain Security: Diversify critical imports (rare earths, APIs, tech components) to counter Chinese economic coercion.

Mains:

Q. MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION In a fragmenting global order, India’s geopolitical posture must evolve from cautious neutrality to strategic assertion. Examine this statement in the light of recent developments in India’s relations with the U.S., EU, China, and its immediate neighbourhood. (15 marks)

Ans:



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