India's Geopolitical Tightrope: Navigating a Shrinking Strategic Space
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: International Relations (India-US/China/EU/Russia relations, BRICS, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation - SCO, Quad), Indian Economy (Tariffs, Free Trade Agreements - FTAs, Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism - CBAM).
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 article argues that India's geopolitical space is shrinking, and India needs to adopt a stronger stance in the changing world order.
India is facing challenges from multiple sides simultaneously:
From the U.S.: Unpredictable policies, threat of US tariffs over its relationship with Russia, and increasing ties with Pakistan.
From the EU: EU sanctions affecting India's energy security, and trade barriers like the Carbon Border Tax.
From China: Attempts to increase influence in India's neighboring countries (Bangladesh, Pakistan), border provocations, and control over critical supply chains.
India's old policy of focusing solely on economic growth and staying away from global issues is no longer practical. This is because geopolitics now determines the economic future.
India has begun to assertively advocate for its "strategic autonomy". India publicly questioning the double standards of the US and EU is an example of this.
India needs to play a more active role in global conflicts like Gaza and Ukraine.
India should continue its multi-alignment policy by strengthening alternative groupings like BRICS and SCO.
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