In the swiftly shifting global political and economic landscape, developing nations like India are finding themselves at the crossroads. Recently, a paper entitled “India’s Path to Power: Strategy in a World Adrift” presented an array of foreign policy recommendations for India that are strikingly timely and essential. The report underscores that strategic autonomy, an open economy, and inclusive economic growth should be India’s guiding principles.
Global Economic Shift
A pattern is emerging where the center of gravity in the world economy and political influence is tilting towards Asia, primarily because of the rise of China and India. Contrarily, the once unchallenged dominance of the European Union and the United States is gradually waning. Interestingly, this shift is manifesting itself through the increasing popularity of the Indo-Pacific region among western countries.
Fostering a Multipolar World Order
Multipolarity – the distribution of power among several states – is fast becoming the norm, both in Asia and globally. It’s in the best interest of India to endorse and support this trend. Subsequently, India needs to recalibrate its foreign policy to rally the support of developing countries and burgeoning economies that share mutual interests. One way to actualize this is by strengthening multilateral institutions and processes.
Strategic Autonomy: A Balancing Act
While maintaining strategic autonomy is crucial, so is nurturing and deepening partnerships with the United States, Japan, and Europe. These regions not only align with India’s security priorities but also pose significant development opportunities. Additionally, India’s relations with Russia will remain pivotal in addressing regional issues and tackling global challenges.
Navigating Globalisation
While globalization has faced some setbacks, its future trajectory will invariably be shaped by swift technological advancements. In this context, for India to bolster its economic prospects and enhance the living conditions of its citizens, it needs to continue embracing an outward-looking economic approach.
“Neighbourhood First” Strategy
To assume a bigger regional and global role and be a net security provider, India can ill-afford to ignore threats and opportunities emerging from its neighboring countries. Contending with the Chinese challenge is paramount in this regard, considering China acknowledges India’s potential to surpass it given its comparable size, population, history, human resource, and technological capabilities. The India-China-Pakistan dynamic necessitates a strategically guided political course of action from India.
Insulating Foreign Policy from Domestic Politics
Instances abound where countries have expressed reservations about India’s domestic policies – the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019 being one case in point. Thus, it is vital that domestic policies embody inclusivity, address inequalities, and fulfill basic responsibilities like healthcare, education, and public security for all citizens. Recognizing and embracing India’s inherent cosmopolitanism, which stems from its profound diversity, is paramount.
While these are challenging times, the guidelines underpinning India’s path to power are clear. It remains to be seen how effectively the nation navigates its course to become a formidable global player.
