{"id":341872,"date":"2025-07-02T21:05:13","date_gmt":"2025-07-02T15:35:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/?p=341872"},"modified":"2025-07-02T21:05:13","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T15:35:13","slug":"india-balances-brics-quad-and-neighbours-through-strategic-realism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/india-balances-brics-quad-and-neighbours-through-strategic-realism\/","title":{"rendered":"India balances BRICS Quad and neighbours through strategic realism"},"content":{"rendered":"

Source<\/strong>: The post India balances BRICS Quad and neighbours through strategic realism has been created, based on the article \u201cNuts and bolts diplomacy<\/strong>\u201d published in \u201cIndian Express<\/strong>\u201d on 2nd July 2025<\/p>\n

UPSC Syllabus Topic:<\/strong> GS Paper <\/strong>2-<\/strong>Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and\/or affecting India\u2019s interests.<\/p>\n

Context:<\/strong> India\u2019s Prime Minister multi-nation tour, focused on the BRICS summit in Brazil, offers scope for advancing bilateral relations with several nations. However, growing global and regional uncertainties demand a shift from broad ideological aims to protecting India\u2019s core interests through pragmatic diplomacy.<\/p>\n

For detailed information on India<\/strong>\u2019<\/strong>s strategic involvement in both the Quad and BRICS<\/strong> read this article here <\/a><\/p>\n

Shifting Realities of BRICS Engagement<\/strong><\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. Declining Appeal of BRICS: <\/strong>BRICS, once seen as a platform to reshape global governance, is now struggling with internal contradictions. Tensions between India and China and Argentina’s refusal to join highlight the forum’s diminishing relevance.<\/li>\n
  2. China<\/strong>\u2019<\/strong>s Growing Influence in BRICS: <\/strong>The power imbalance between India and China has become evident. China\u2019s assertive posture limits meaningful cooperation within BRICS and exposes India to long-term strategic challenges.<\/li>\n
  3. From Ideals to Realities: <\/strong>Despite an expanded membership and broader agenda, BRICS remains weak in delivering tangible outcomes. India is now prioritising practical cooperation over ideological symbolism.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The Rise and Risks of Multi-Alignment<\/strong><\/h2>\n
      \n
    1. Strategic Balancing Between Powers: <\/strong>India\u2019s \u201cmulti-alignment\u201d strategy seeks to engage both BRICS and the Quad. This reflects its aim to navigate complex global power dynamics.<\/li>\n
    2. Rising Costs of Flexibility: <\/strong>The assumption that India can balance global rivalries without consequence is being tested. India\u2019s relations with both the US and China have faced setbacks.<\/li>\n
    3. Early Expectations, Harsh Lessons: <\/strong>Modi\u2019s initial optimism with China faded after repeated border clashes. In contrast, India\u2019s partnership with the US has gained depth amid rising tensions with Beijing.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Evolving Great Power Dynamics<\/strong><\/h2>\n
        \n
      1. Shifting Strategic Landscape<\/strong>: <\/strong>Russia\u2019s tilt toward China\u2014especially after the 2014 Crimea annexation and the 2022 Ukraine invasion\u2014has weakened its role as a regional balancer for India.<\/li>\n
      2. Quad<\/strong>\u2019<\/strong>s Strategic Importance: <\/strong>The Quad has become central to India\u2019s geopolitical strategy. It offers a stronger platform to respond to China\u2019s assertiveness, despite its own internal challenges.<\/li>\n
      3. Unpredictability in US Policy: <\/strong>Trump\u2019s transactional approach\u2014emphasising defence spending and trade deals\u2014has caused friction with allies. His openness to a deal with China adds to the Quad’s uncertainty.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        India<\/strong>\u2019<\/strong>s Neighbourhood and Regional Concerns<\/strong><\/h2>\n
          \n
        1. China<\/strong>\u2019<\/strong>s Regional Consolidation<\/strong>: <\/strong>China is building strategic partnerships in South Asia, especially with Pakistan and Bangladesh. It is also forming regional platforms outside SAARC.<\/li>\n
        2. Weakening of SAARC: <\/strong>With SAARC largely inactive, China is stepping in to reshape regional cooperation through trilateral and Indian Ocean forums, limiting India\u2019s influence.<\/li>\n
        3. Strategic Competition in Modi<\/strong>\u2019<\/strong>s Destinations<\/strong>: <\/strong>China is expanding its presence in Argentina, Brazil, Ghana, and Namibia\u2014nations on Modi\u2019s itinerary\u2014through trade and investment. These countries seek practical cooperation over ideology.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Way Forward for India<\/strong><\/h2>\n
            \n
          1. Strengthening from Within: <\/strong>India must focus on domestic reforms, building political unity, and enhancing institutional strength to face global challenges.<\/li>\n
          2. Reclaiming Regional Leadership: <\/strong>To counter China\u2019s growing footprint, India should rebuild regional ties and reassert its leadership role in South Asia.<\/li>\n
          3. Forging Practical Partnerships: <\/strong>India must deepen cooperation with key developing nations in trade, technology, and defence, focusing on substance over slogans.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            Question for practice:<\/strong><\/p>\n

            Examine how India\u2019s evolving geopolitical strategy reflects a shift from ideological alignments to pragmatic diplomacy in response to global and regional uncertainties.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

            Source: The post India balances BRICS Quad and neighbours through strategic realism has been created, based on the article \u201cNuts and bolts diplomacy\u201d published in \u201cIndian Express\u201d on 2nd July 2025 UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2-Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and\/or affecting India\u2019s interests. Context: India\u2019s Prime Minister multi-nation tour,… Continue reading India balances BRICS Quad and neighbours through strategic realism<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10320,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1230],"tags":[212,10500,239],"class_list":["post-341872","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-9-pm-daily-articles","tag-gs-paper-2","tag-indian-express","tag-international-relations","entry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","views":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/341872","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10320"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=341872"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/341872\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=341872"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=341872"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=341872"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}