Paper: GS – II, Subject: International Relations, Topic: India’s foreign policy, Issue: India’s ties with BRICS and global south.
Context:
PM Modi’s multi-nation tour during the BRICS summit underscores the shift in India’s focus from ideological alignments (like BRICS or Quad) to pragmatic, interest-driven diplomacy.
Key Highlights:
India’s Geostrategic Concerns:
- U.S.-Pakistan Rapprochement: Trump’s surprise overture to Pakistan has created strategic unease in Delhi. India sees deepening U.S.-Pakistan military engagement as counterproductive to regional security.
- China-Pakistan Axis: India is increasingly concerned about China’s assertiveness in Asia and Pakistan’s closer alignment with China.
- BRICS Losing Relevance:
- Internal divisions (e.g., India-China conflict) weaken BRICS unity. For instance, Russia’s growing proximity to China and Iran undermines India’s position in BRICS.
- Argentina’s rejection of BRICS membership shows disinterest among emerging nations.
- BRICS members (Russia, China) offer limited economic/diplomatic support to India.
- India is wary of BRICS becoming a platform for Chinese dominance in Asia.
- India is also careful not to be used by China or Russia for their anti-West goals.
India’s foreign policy response:
Shift Toward Pragmatism:
- Overcoming ideological dogmatism: India’s diplomacy now prioritizes practical interests over ideological commitments.
- Focus areas:
- Economic consolidation.
- National resilience.
- Self-strengthening at home.
- Preference to bilateral ties: India avoids sweeping global pronouncements and emphasizes bilateral ties (e.g., visits to Ghana, Namibia, Argentina, Trinidad & Tobago).
- Role of QUAD: India finds more geopolitical leverage in Quad (U.S., Japan, Australia, India) than BRICS as promoting a “multipolar Asia” is seen as a hedge against Chinese hegemony. Unlike BRICS, Quad enables India to engage with Western democracies on shared regional security goals.
Measures needed:
- Prioritize National Interests: India’s diplomacy should stay interest-based, not ideologically expansive. It must avoid dependence on any one bloc (whether BRICS or Quad).
- Engage with Regional Neighbours:
- Focus on bilateral and sub-regional forums like BIMSTEC, IORA, SAARC etc.
- Seek pragmatic cooperation with neighbours like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal.
- Adaptive Foreign Policy: India must remain flexible amid global flux (e.g., U.S.-China tensions, Russia’s shift eastward) and continue building defence and tech ties with the West without alienating other partners.
Conclusion:
India’s external engagement is marked by a pragmatic, security-driven, self-reliant approach. Forums like BRICS and Quad are tools, not ends and India’s focus remains on nuts-and-bolts diplomacy.
https://indianexpress.com/article/live-news/daily-briefing-top-news-today-10101163
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