[Answered] India will struggle to tread the middle ground as Russia-China and US-led blocs consolidate their global coalitions. Comment. Also, suggest some steps that India should take to avoid the impacts of the global bloc politics.

A great power rivalry is consolidating in the global politics, where US-led bloc is facing off with the Russia-China coalition. Few examples of this global power politics are the Ukraine crisis and the South China sea. 

The heightened rivalry between these blocs is a result of various reasons. 

• The rise of revisionist power China, in a world dominated by the USA, which wants to maintain the status quo. 
• The US is pivoting towards the South China Sea away from Europe, to counter China. It creates an opportunity for Russia to gain in Europe, especially Ukraine. 
• Russia’s action on Ukraine border and resistance from the NATO members, along with creation of AUKUS and elevation of QUAD to summit level, created favorable environment for Russia-China coalition. 

In present circumstances both sides are trying to consolidate their own blocs. India being a major global power, cannot afford to remain isolated. It presented with the task of difficult task of navigating this great power rivalry 

• India has a time-tested relation with Russia and cannot afford to antagonize Russia because India needs Russian partnership for its defense needs, energy needs, tackling emerging Afghanistan issues and for countering China, especially in multilateral like SCO and BRICS.  
• India has strained relation with China but India also has huge trade reliance on China which make the situation complicated. 
• If India sides with Russia, it could lead to deterioration of India’s growing relation with western powers like USA, UK and EU countries which are major economic and strategic partners. 
• India also cannot afford to remain isolated from this great power rivalry as it would be perceived as weakness of an aspiring global leader. 

India needs to carefully tread the path between these global blocs. 

• India’s approach will depend upon the new dynamic between the two coalitions as well as its own ties with China, Russia and the US. 
• India needs to nudge US-Russia to find common ground to simplify its options. Bringing both parties on the table to resolve the Ukraine issue could be a good way to start. 
• India could communicate with like-minded countries to push these global powers to resolve their issues peacefully and avoid creation of cold war like situations. Which would hinder the post-Covid recovery of the world. 
• India could utilize multilateral forums like UNSC, SCO, QUAD etc. to push for resolution of conflicts which leads to win-win situation for all. 
• India could utilize NAM to create consensus among similarly placed countries to minimize the damage that this rivalry could create. 
• Reducing reliance on China by creating domestic capacity and becoming truly Atmanirbhar. Which will simplify India’s available options. 

India must remain pragmatic in dealing with the global bloc politics and not let itself get consumed by this rivalry, which may affect its own national interest. India should focus on its economic recovery with multiple alignment, keeping principled distance from the issues that may arise in future.