Evaluate India's vision of a new world order.

Core Principles Guiding India’s Vision

India’s vision for a new world order is underpinned by several core principles:

• Multipolarity: India advocates for a world order characterized by multiple poles of power, rather than a unipolar or bipolar system. This stems from a belief that a multipolar world is more stable and representative of diverse interests.
• Strategic Autonomy: India emphasizes its right to pursue an independent foreign policy, free from undue influence from any major power. This is reflected in its non-aligned tradition and its cautious approach to alliances.
• Inclusive and Equitable Multilateralism: India believes that international institutions should be more representative of the Global South and responsive to the needs of developing countries. This necessitates reforms in organizations like the UN Security Council.
• Rule-Based Order: India supports a rules-based international order, but one that is fair, transparent, and respects international law. It advocates for the peaceful resolution of disputes and adherence to established norms.
• Sustainable Development: India prioritizes sustainable development and climate action as integral components of global peace and security.

Characteristics of India’s Preferred World Order

Based on these principles, India envisions a world order with the following characteristics:

• Reformed Multilateral Institutions: A key element is the reform of the UN Security Council to include more permanent members from the Global South, particularly India, Brazil, and South Africa. India has consistently advocated for this reform, highlighting the current Council’s lack of representation.
• Strengthened Regionalism: India believes in strengthening regional organizations like ASEAN, SAARC (though currently facing challenges), and the African Union to promote regional cooperation and stability.
• Enhanced South-South Cooperation: India actively promotes cooperation with other developing countries through initiatives like the India-Africa Forum Summit and the India-Latin America-Caribbean Forum.
• Focus on Global Commons: India emphasizes the importance of protecting global commons like the oceans, space, and cyberspace, and advocates for responsible behavior in these domains.
• Digital Inclusion: Recognizing the transformative power of technology, India champions digital inclusion and equitable access to digital infrastructure globally.

India’s Role in Shaping the New World Order

India is actively working to shape the new world order through various avenues:

• G20 Presidency (2023): India’s G20 presidency focused on ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ and prioritized issues like digital public infrastructure, climate finance, and inclusive growth. The inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member of the G20 was a significant achievement.
• BRICS Expansion: India’s support for the expansion of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) reflects its commitment to multipolarity and the creation of alternative platforms for global governance.
• Quad Cooperation: The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) with the US, Japan, and Australia is seen as a mechanism to counter China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region and promote a free and open Indo-Pacific.
• ‘Neighborhood First’ Policy: India’s ‘Neighborhood First’ policy prioritizes strengthening relations with its neighboring countries, recognizing their importance for regional stability and economic integration.
• Voice of the Global South Summit (2023): India hosted the Voice of the Global South Summit, providing a platform for developing countries to articulate their concerns and priorities.

Challenges and Limitations

Despite its aspirations, India faces several challenges in realizing its vision:

• Economic Constraints: India’s economic growth, while impressive, is still insufficient to match the economic and military power of major players like the US and China.
• Internal Challenges: Domestic issues like poverty, inequality, and social divisions can constrain India’s ability to project its influence internationally.
• Geopolitical Rivalries: India’s relations with China remain complex and fraught with tensions, posing a significant challenge to its vision of a multipolar world.
• Bureaucratic Inertia: Bureaucratic inefficiencies and a lack of coordination between different government agencies can hinder the implementation of India’s foreign policy objectives.
• Global Resistance to Reform: Resistance from existing powers to reforms in international institutions like the UN Security Council poses a major obstacle.