{"id":348478,"date":"2025-10-22T17:44:19","date_gmt":"2025-10-22T12:14:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/?p=348478"},"modified":"2025-10-24T09:40:55","modified_gmt":"2025-10-24T04:10:55","slug":"indias-travails-in-negotiating-a-friendless-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/indias-travails-in-negotiating-a-friendless-world\/","title":{"rendered":"India\u2019s travails in negotiating a friendless world"},"content":{"rendered":"

UPSC Syllabus Topic:<\/strong> GS Paper 2 –<\/strong>International relation.<\/p>\n

Introduction<\/strong><\/h2>\n

India faces a harsher global landscape and shrinking diplomatic space. Multilateralism has weakened, flexibility is lacking, and a trust deficit is growing.<\/strong> India was absent or marginal in key events abroad and hesitant or helpless during churn in its neighbourhood. The earlier \u201csweet spot\u201d of being courted by major powers has eroded.<\/strong> The result is a tougher, more transactional world in which India must reset aims toward core security and economic interests. India\u2019s travails in negotiating a friendless world.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"India\u2019s<\/p>\n

Arguments for a decline in India\u2019s geopolitical relevance<\/strong><\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. Marginalisation in key theatres: India was absent from the Gaza peace process.<\/strong> The settlement was shaped by the United States with T\u00fcrkiye, Egypt, Qatar, and others. India then sent very low-level representation<\/strong> to the reconciliation event, signalling reduced influence in West Asia.<\/li>\n
  2. Weak presence amid neighbourhood upheavals:<\/strong> India looked like a bystander in Nepal\u2019s Gen Z revolution.<\/strong> This happened despite proximity and stakes. Bangladesh and Nepal now appear more hostile<\/strong>, and Sri Lanka\u2019s surface calm still leaves room for external meddling.<\/li>\n
  3. Adverse strategic alignments in West Asia:<\/strong> T\u00fcrkiye sided with Pakistan<\/strong> during the India\u2013Pakistan conflict and gained visibility in West Asia. Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement<\/strong>, reinforcing the perception that India is an outlier<\/strong> in a region where it earlier had comfort.<\/li>\n
  4. Erosion across South Asia:<\/strong> China became the top trading partner<\/strong> for Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Maldives expelled Indian military personnel.<\/strong> Chinese projects moved faster<\/strong> than Indian ones in Nepal and Sri Lanka, pulling neighbours closer to Beijing. Backing Sheikh Hasina despite rights concerns<\/strong> hurt India\u2019s credibility in Bangladesh.<\/li>\n
  5. From sweet spot to reduced leverage: <\/strong>India earlier enjoyed a sweet spot. T<\/strong>he U.S. courted India, China watched India\u2019s choices, and Russia stayed engaged. Global crises<\/strong> and India\u2019s firm autonomy on Russia<\/strong> reduced patience in Washington and made ties more transactional<\/strong>. The Russia\u2013Ukraine war<\/strong> exposed over-expectations<\/strong> about India\u2019s leverage with Russia<\/strong> and its moral sway.<\/li>\n
  6. China\u2019s pressure and reach
    \n<\/strong>Since 2020, moves at the LAC<\/strong> changed facts on the ground; external partners could not reverse them<\/strong>. Beijing shifted to hard leverage<\/strong> and a hierarchical stance<\/strong>. It expanded influence to India\u2019s east<\/strong> through businesses, universities, research centres, and cyberspace. As U.S. influence wanes<\/strong> in parts of Asia, a China-led order<\/strong> is emerging in East and Southeast Asia, further shrinking India\u2019s leverage<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
  7. Risky drift and north-west volatility
    \n<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n