India's multi-alignment diplomacy

Ahongshangbam Newken Singh *

Foreign policy is the sum total of principles, interests and objectives which a State formulates in conducting its relations with other States. Similarly, each State has its foreign policy through which it tries to develop relations with other Nations at international level.

Due to changing nature of the contemporary world every country has changed their foreign policy once in a while. For instance, China wolf warrior diplomacy, belt and road initiative (string of pearls policy), ironically, US sanction diplomacy.

Looking from Russia-Ukraine war to west Asia conflict (Israel-Palestine) conflict it is not easy for India’s security managers and diplomats to make this complex game work in New Delhi’s interest. Now India is shifting its policy toward Multi-Alignment Diplomacy.

India is now implementing a “multi-alignment” strategy that stands in stark contrast to earlier approaches it has employed in its international relations. India’s multi-alignment began with the end of the cold war in 1991.

India embraced all sorts of organisation ranging from the G20 and QUAD to BRICS, BIMSTEC and SCO. This strategy is the consolidation of and approach that has evolved for at least a decade, which is judged by Indian foreign policy making elite as the best means to achieve what they perceive as its core interest and ideals in an increasingly uncertain global context.

This new multi-alignment diplomacy is not the product of “Modi doctrine” but the full-scale utilization of this diplomacy starts specially when Narendra Modi Government came into power.

“MULTI ALIGNMENT” AND “NON-ALIGNMENT, ANTI COLONIAL”

The foreign policy and grand strategy of India are gradually emerging as crucial topic of interest in the contemporary international system, along with the prospective rise of India as a major power. Shifting toward multi-alignment diplomacy have positive as well as negative impact on India’s foreign policy.

India’s nuanced multi-alignment strategy balance relation with Russia amid global geopolitical challenges, emphasizing diplomate finesses, economic cooperation and strategic engagement to reinforce bilateral resilience and navigate international complexity effectively.

Due to India’s Multi-Alignment diplomacy India can play smooth international politics by managing P5 countries (USA, Russia, France, Uk, China) of UNSC. Shifting of India’s policy to multi-alignment here is question comes on dilution of non-alignment and anti-colonial ethos as we have seen India’s stand on Israel Palestine conflict. In this time of great power politics, the legacy ideal of non-alignment and anti-colonialism are seen as baggage.

In this new era of international politics, India seems to have moved away from its role as a champion of anti-colonial struggle. Instead, it embraced over value a part defined by narrow interests. India shifting towards multi-alignment is a transition from value based to transactional diplomacy. However, this shift toward transactional diplomacy is not unique to India. Globally, foreign policies are increasingly guided by constructed economic and strategic interest.

WHY INDIA SHIFTED TO MULTI ALIGNMENT

India’s desire to emerge as a great power has also play a crucial role. India do not want to give up on China to lead the Global South. India multi-alignment strategy has become a cornerstone of its foreign policy, reflecting its nuanced approach to global geopolitics.

India exercise multi-alignment diplomacy through Bilateral relation, multiple forum or organisation like BRICS, QUAD, SCO, G20, BIMSTEC, etc. QUAD for to provides a pathway to a “free, open and inclusive” Indo pacific. SCO and India-US 2+2 dialogue contribute to India external security insight. Forum like BRICS underscore the perspective of the developing world, with the objective of reforming the UN to face new global challenge.

India’s multi-alignment diplomacy helps to maintain India’s strategic autonomy by balancing relationship with various global powers. For Instance, Balancing Russia and the west, Navigating the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Balanced Approach to the Israel Hamas conflict, Middle East diplomacy and Indias bilateral relation also more strengthening multi-alignment diplomacy.

Through this diplomacy India is now maintaining its global geopolitics by balancing East and West.