India's Multipolar Vision and the Challenge of West Asian Geopolitics
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: International Relations (India's Foreign Policy, Unipolar vs. Multipolar world, West Asia).
Mains:
GS Paper 2: India and its neighborhood- relations; Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests; Effect of policies and politics of developed countries on India’s interests.
Key Highlights from the News
The potential for a U.S.-Israel-Iran war still exists, which would be disastrous for India's economic interests and its aspirations to become a 'great power'.
A regime change in Iran would solidify U.S.-led unipolarity in West Asia, which would hinder India's ability to expand its strategic footprint in the region.
There is a fundamental difference in worldview between India and Western countries: India believes in a multipolar world order, while Western countries try to maintain their dominance.
This divergence is evident in the secondary sanctions threatened by the US against countries buying Russian oil, and in British media reports criticizing India for commissioning a Russian-made warship.
A multipolar world order is a key pillar of India's foreign policy. This goal is more important to India than countering China.
Therefore, India is unlikely to fully align with the Western bloc.
The article argues that India should negotiate with the US to avoid a war and try to convince them that recognizing global multipolarity is better for American interests.
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