The New Eurasian Geopolitics

Source-This post on The New Eurasian Geopolitics has been created based on the article “C Raja Mohan writes: In great power rivalry across Eurasia, an opening for India” published in “The Indian Express” on 26 June 2024.

UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-2– Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India’s interests

Context- Recent events, including Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visits to North Korea and Vietnam, along with the US presidential debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, underscore the deepening interconnections between European and Asian security. These developments present new strategic opportunities for middle powers like India.

What are the four dimensions of the New “Eurasian” Geopolitics?

1)  Asia’s Active Role in European Geopolitics-

A) Asian countries have now become influential in European geopolitics. Russia and Western Europe are actively seeking Asian support to influence the narrative on the Ukraine conflict. For ex- the Ukraine peace conference attempted to gain political and diplomatic support from non-Western countries to reverse the Russian occupation.

B) Asia’s role as a major arms supplier in European conflicts is strengthening. For ex- North Korea is supplying ammunition to Russia, South Korea is supporting Ukraine, and Japan may increase missile production and relax export controls to contribute further.

2) Emerging Asian Diplomatic Dynamics– Major powers are trying to make relations with Asian nations stronger amidst current conflicts. For ex-

A) Vladimir Putin’s recent trips to Pyongyang and Hanoi signal Russia’s renewed involvement with North Korea. His treaty with North Korea seeks to enhance security cooperation, which could impact regional dynamics and pose challenges to Western interests.

B) Vietnam has hosted leaders like Biden, Xi Jinping, and Putin in recent past. This reflects its efforts to manage economic ties with both China and the US, while also seeking security cooperation with Russia to balance regional interests.

3) Navigating Asia’s Geopolitical Shifts– Growing maneuverability among Asian nations complicates Western decision-making, highlighting a fault line in US foreign policy debates.
Historically, the US dominated both regions after World War II. However, the recent Russia-China alliance and their combined influence across Europe and Asia have compelled the US to rethink its primary challenges.

4) Asia’s Growing Role Amid Europe’s Strategic Challenges – Europe is hesitant in encountering China and enhancing its defense capabilities internally. Economic connections with China are also causing European leaders to hesitate in directly challenging Beijing. Whereas countries in Asia such as Australia, India, Japan, and South Korea are becoming more inclined to contribute significantly to regional security.

What are the opportunities for middle powers like India in this evolving landscape?

1) Significant changes are happening as Europe and Asian are becoming more connected. This highlights the rise of middle powers like India and others whose influence is growing across Eurasia.

2) The United States is actively seeking strong security alliances with these middle powers to counterbalance the increasing influence of China and Russia.US has adopted a strategy called “integrated deterrence,” that gives middle powers like India a unique opportunity to enhance their overall national strength, including military capabilities.

Read more- Successes and challenges in the India-U.S. relationship

Way forward– India’s bureaucracy needs to act quickly to take advantage of current international opportunities to modernize its defense industry and expand domestic arms production rapidly. Achieving self-sufficiency in arms production is important for maintaining India’s “strategic autonomy.”

Question for practice

What are the key aspects of the emerging “Eurasian” geopolitics? How can middle powers such as India benefit from these changing dynamics?