Mains Practice Questions

Approach :

• Define strategic autonomy and trace its evolution from non-alignment to multi-alignment.
• Describe India as the voice of the Global South.
• Discuss the deepening cooperation with the Western Nations.
• Highlight the challenges in balancing both idses.
• Conclude with suitable way forward.

Introduction:

Strategic autonomy, once synonymous with Nehruvian non-alignment, has evolved in the 21st century into multi-alignment—a pragmatic approach where India engages simultaneously with diverse power centers.Today, India seeks to balance leadership of the Global South with closer cooperation with Western partners in trade, defence, and technology.

Body :

India as Voice of the Global South

• Economic Growth and Trade Influence:
  • India is a major player in South-South trade and economic development.
  • India’s trade with the Global South has surged, with trade volumes with Africa increasing from $5 billion in 2001 to $90 billion in 2020.
  • India was the seventh largest supplier of goods to Latin America with $20.22 billion in 2024, showcasing its expanding economic partnerships.
• Climate Justice:
  • Advocates “common but differentiated responsibilities” at COP summits.
  • Pushes for climate finance and technology transfer.
  • Example: International Solar Alliance (ISA)—uniting 110+ nations, mostly from the Global South.
• Development Partnerships:
  • India extended Lines of Credit worth $32 bn extended to over 160 countries (MEA data).
  • Initiatives like Vaccine Maitri—supplied 250 million COVID-19 doses to 100+ countries.
  • Focus on capacity building: ITEC program trains 14,000 professionals annually.
• Technological and Digital Innovation:
  • India’s digital leap, through Aadhaar and UPI, has made it a global leader in digital public infrastructure.
  • ts financial inclusion model via UPI has inspired 12+ countries in the Global South to adopt similar systems.
• Institutional Reforms:
  • Advocates for UNSC expansion to include developing countries.
  • Promotes reforms in WTO to protect food security (e.g., India’s stand on MSP and public stockholding).
  • Led the Voice of Global South Summit (2023)—bringing 125 nations together.

Deepening Ties with the West

• Trade & Economy:
  • EU-India FTA: Negotiations restarted; expected to boost current $115 bn trade.
  • India-U.S. Trade: The U.S. remained India’s largest trading partner for the fourth consecutive year in 2024-25 with bilateral trade valued at $131.84 billion.
  • India-UK FTA: Agreed to expand market access and investments.
  • India-EFTA TEPA: Concluded agreement with European Free Trade Association to deepen trade and economic ties.
• Defence Cooperation:
  • QUAD partnership with U.S., Japan, Australia ensures Indo-Pacific security.
  • Defence technology collaboration: GE engines co-production, BrahMos exports.
  • Largest defence imports from Russia—but diversification with U.S., France, Israel underway.
• Technology & Innovation
  • India-U.S. Initiative on Critical & Emerging Technologies (iCET) in AI, quantum, semiconductors.
  • 5G rollout and collaborations in cybersecurity.
  • Space cooperation: Artemis Accords, NASA-ISRO NISAR mission.

Challenges in Balancing Both Sides

• Russia-Ukraine war: West pushes for sanctions; India maintains neutrality citing energy security.
• Trade disputes: U.S. concerns over tariffs, digital sovereignty.
• Climate pressure: West pushes for net-zero by 2050, but India commits to 2070 considering development needs.
• Geopolitical Tensions: Aligning with QUAD while maintaining BRICS solidarity.

Way Forward:

• Dual-track Diplomacy: Institutionalize Voice of Global South as annual summit while sustaining QUAD/BRICS/IBSA.
• Economic Diplomacy: Prioritize South-South trade agreements; simultaneously negotiate FTAs with EU, UK.
• Tech & Development: Share digital public infrastructure (UPI, CoWIN model) with Global South; co-develop frontier tech with West.
• Reformed Multilateralism: Lead the campaign for UNSC, WTO, IMF reforms representing Global South aspirations.

Conclusion:

In navigating its leadership role in the Global South while maintaining strategic engagement with the West, India must balance multiple global relationships with finesse. As External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar aptly puts it, “This is a time for us to engage America, manage China, cultivate Europe, reassure Russia, bring Japan into play, draw neighbours in, extend the neighbourhood and expand traditional constituencies of support.”