INDIA IN A MULTI-POLAR WORLD
BY VINAY KAURA *
Since the end of the Cold War , the nature of India ’ s global engagements have gone through several processes of adjustment and alteration . India ’ s relations with major powers have been changing in order to accommodate the new geopolitical realities that are partly the product of shifting perceptions and partly the result of changes in the international environment . Among many other features , the geopolitical scenario is being altered by a number of larger structural shifts with regard to the position and relative weight of specific actors . Notable instances include the relative loss of influence of the US , the changing regional roles of China and Russia , the emergence of a number of regional ‘ swing states ’, and the increasing role of non-state actors in shaping regional developments .
The complexity of this emerging reality makes India ’ s policy choices ever more difficult . In particular , the decline of American hegemony and the consequent rise of China have thrown immense challenges to the existing norms and rules that govern global order . China ’ s assertiveness in Asia and beyond clearly signals that Beijing would not hesitate to use its growing power to the detriment of other major powers , including India .
All nations prioritise national interests over other interests at all multilateral fora . One should not expect otherwise . From the United Nations ( UN ) to the Nuclear Suppliers Group ( NSG ), to ASEAN , BRICS and the SCO , India has multiple levels of engagement with the outside world . However , in terms of regions , South Asia and the Indian Ocean remain India ’ s primary focus areas . But critics often argue that New Delhi is yet to define , in concrete terms , a vision of India ’ s role in the Indian Ocean . The problem with India being defined as a ‘ consensual stakeholder ’ is that the term does not lead to any clear understanding of how India might behave in situations where consensus might not exist . Further , the difficulty with defining India ’ s role as ‘ net security provider ’ is that it is yet to requisite the necessary capabilities to ensure maritime security and the safety of the sea lanes of communication that crisscross its waters .
Counter terrorism has been another important concern for New Delhi . India was one of the few countries to initially raise the challenge that terrorism poses to national and international security . Countering terrorism and violent extremism has become a critical element of India ’ s national interest . Now , other powers have also realised that countering terrorism is a matter of global interest . While India ’ s concerns on terrorism have acquired normative weight in all multilateral institutions , the country still has to seek bilateral cooperation outside the UN to tackle this threat .
From ‘ Looking East ’ to ‘ Acting East ’, India has begun to give up some of its traditional hesitation . It is now increasingly embracing the logic of expanding its influence beyond South Asia . Nevertheless , there are several challenges that need to be overcome . India ’ s military focus is still very much defined by the traditional threats posed by China and Pakistan . India lacks the institutional and bureaucratic architecture to advance its influence across its immediate frontiers . The need to pursue a multifaceted foreign policy and engage all major powers is recognised by almost all Indian analysts , and this is considered to be the best way to maintain the country ' s ‘ strategic autonomy ’.
40 • Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Diplomatist • Vol 6 • Issue 7 • July 2018 , Noida