Indias geopolitical vision should be larger, Pg 8

• Recalled India's past interventions in Bangladesh (1971), Maldives (1988), Sri Lanka (2009).
• Critique of Indias reticence in recent decades despite being the 5th largest economy.
• Emphasis on Indias record as a net contributor to global public good e.g., Vaccine Maitri, ISA.

Strategic Non-alignment vs Multi-alignment

• India follows a multi-alignment strategy, enhancing bilateral ties without strict bloc alignment.
• SCs recent abstentions on UNSC votes and dialogue with Russia highlighted as balanced diplomacy.

Emerging Global Expectations from India

• As a rising power, India is expected to be more active in regional/global politics.
• Putin’s praise seen as subtle encouragement for India to play a larger geopolitical role.

Need for Strategic Shift & Reform

• Urges stronger engagement with Europe, Central Asia, Africa, and in forums like SCO, RCEP.
• Advocates internal economic reforms to meet global expectations for trade.

Analysis & Way Forward

• India must go beyond symbolic participation and shape the rules of the new world order.
• Should pursue a holistic foreign policy integrating economic and strategic priorities under multi-dimensional multi-alignment.

Mains Mock Question:

"Indias foreign policy has increasingly balanced strategic autonomy with economic pragmatism. Critically examine the need for a more proactive geopolitical role in the current global order."