India’s challenge in European geopolitics

News: The resignation of Germany’s Naval chief over his comments made in India, show the complexity of European geopolitics.

He commented on the importance of Russia in balancing China, NATOs difficulty in admitting Ukraine, and told that taking Crimea from Russia might be impossible. Though the comments reflect common sense, but they are against the diplomatic positions held by many countries in Europe.

What geopolitical contradictions does it reveal?

First, Europe remains geopolitically unstable. The European settlements of 1919, 1945, and 1991 have not provided stability.

Second, Europe is struggling to integrate Russia on mutually acceptable terms. Bolshevik revolution of 1917 put Russia and the West at odds with each other. The collapse of the Soviet Union has not resolved this contradiction.

Third, there is growing tension between the US and Europe. Though Europe relies on the US for its security, it resents American dominance over its geo-politics. This was stated by EU’s foreign policy chief Joseph Borrell and also by French president Emmanuel Macron.

Fourth, The emergence of the idea that Europe must look after its own security. Though the EU is a powerful economic entity ($17 trillion), it is still a weak security actor.

Despite these contradictions, India must realize that re-balancing China in Indo-Pacific cannot be done by the USA alone. It also needs the support of the EU.

What lessons can India learn from the Indian national movement?

In the 18th century, Indian princes took advantage of contradictions between Britain and France to preserve their independence.

In the 19th century, Indian revolutionaries turned to Berlin to take advantage of Germany’s emergence. Germany supported the formation of the nationalist government of India in Kabul in 1915 headed by Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh.

Indian communists turned to Soviet Russia when it declared its cause of championing Asian liberation from European imperialism.

During the Second World War, Netaji turned to Germany and Japan. With Japan’s support, a provisional government of India was formed in Singapore in 1943.

What can India learn from its past?

India’s struggle for independence involved exploiting the contradictions between different imperial powers. As the world enters a similar movement, and there is an emergence of tensions between the US, UK, Europe, Russia, China, and Japan, India should leverage these contradictions for its national benefit.

Source: This post is based on the article “India’s challenge in European geopolitics” published in Indian Express on 25th January 2022.