Nuts and Bolts Diplomacy
(Source: The Indian Express, Editorial Page)
Also Read: The Indian Express Editorial Analysis: 02 July 2025
Also Read: The Hindu Editorial Analysis: 02 July 2025
| Topic: GS Paper 2 – International Relations: India’s Foreign Policy, Strategic Groupings like BRICS, Quad, Global Diplomacy |
| Context |
|
India’s Strategic Shift Towards Interest-Based Diplomacy
- India is moving away from an ideological or bloc-based diplomacy (e.g., BRICS, NAM) and instead embracing interest-driven partnerships.
- Delhi is now keen to build relationships based on strategic autonomy, tailored engagement, and global balancing rather than old Cold War alignments.
Internal Contradictions in BRICS
- BRICS appears divided, especially on the China-India front.
- Argentina and Namibia’s refusal to attend signals that not all nations see value in BRICS’ expansive vision.
- Russia’s increasing alignment with China further weakens BRICS’ non-Western balance claim.
- India’s recent bilateral efforts with Argentina and Trinidad & Tobago reflect its broader diplomatic diversification.
Geopolitical Realignment and U.S.-China Rivalry
- The US-China relationship is at its lowest strategic trust level in decades.
- Trump’s outreach to Pakistan and irritation with India signals diplomatic challenges for Delhi.
- Despite this, India has remained strategically independent, continuing engagement with the U.S., EU, Russia, and regional partners.
India’s Role in the Quad and Multipolar Asia
- Since reviving the Quad in 2017, India has pushed for a “multipolar Asia” to counterbalance Chinese hegemony.
- Delhi’s support for the Quad stems from concerns over China’s assertiveness and BRICS’ limitations.
- The Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting offers a platform to address growing challenges and strengthen Indo-Pacific cooperation.
New Regional Initiatives and Ocean Diplomacy
- India’s role in emerging trilateral ties between India, Bangladesh, and UAE, and talks of a China-led alternative to SAARC, show the region’s fluidity.
- Beijing’s push for an Indian Ocean forum and expanded SAARC-like groupings may challenge India’s traditional sphere of influence.
- India must invest in regional mechanisms, both new and old, that protect its economic and security interests.
Conclusion and Way Forward
- India’s diplomacy must remain rooted in strategic realism, balancing great power rivalry with economic cooperation.
- Ideological posturing should take a back seat to issue-based, flexible diplomacy.
- India’s foreign policy must focus on securing its core interests in trade, regional stability, and global platforms, including BRICS, Quad, G20, and the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
- Strategic patience, diplomatic agility, and multi-alignment will continue to be key pillars of India’s global posture.
India–US Tech Diplomacy Focus Areas
| Domain | Collaborative Objective | Strategic Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Semiconductors | Secure supply chains | Reduces dependency on China |
| Artificial Intelligence | Joint innovation & R&D | Leadership in emerging technologies |
| Quantum Computing | Research cooperation | Future-proofing digital infrastructure |
| Space & Defence | Tech transfer & joint missions | Boosts strategic depth |
| Practice Question: (GS-2 | 15 Marks | 250 Words) “India’s foreign policy must prioritize strategic interest over ideological alignment in a multipolar world.” Critically analyze this statement with reference to India’s role in groupings such as BRICS and the Quad. |
