Indias Multilateralism and East world order.

 

Indian foreign policy has played a pivotal role in international affairs especially during the Nehruvian era. The concept of Non alignment (NAM) was the then considered the diplomatic need for India as a country which was dusting it off from the colonial atrocities during the cold war era. NAM was very significant from 1947 to 1964 during Nehruvian idealistic era, but it lost its glory during the realistic period of Indira Gandhi. As the geopolitics is highly complex in this globalised world order, the Shanghai corporation Organization summit starting fron 15th September is very important in so many domains. It will effect India's stand in Russia-ukrain conflict, upcoming Chinese party congress, flood reliefs for Pakistan etc.

Shanghai corporation organisation being the largest regional grouping that have 40% of the world population, including countries like China, india, Pakistan, Russia, Kazakistan, Kirghistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Belarus and mongolia have observer status in it and for the time being Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Turkmenistan were invited as guests to summit 2022. The significance of this grouping and indias role in this is huge and critical. India is the country who can bridge the gap between groupings like SCO, and BRICS with QUAD, I2U2, and Indo Pacific Economic frameworks.

As the period of NAM got expired india is finding its own strategies of foreign policy, that comes up with the phrase Multilateralism. From Non alignment to All alignment india has made its position clear in so many recent diplomatic interventions. Infact prime minister had not participated in NAM meetings recently but going to meet at SCO summit is a clear expression of India's new way of diplomacy.

Some of India's recent polices are very commendable in this regard. Despite the US threat to import oil from Russia, india actually increased its import from 0.66 million tonnes in first quarters to 8.42 million tonnes in the second quarters. Despite the Doklam issues and ladakh stand off, india and china kept their trade intact. The president of iran, Ebrahim raisi was so favourable to India as they both restored indian oil purchase despite the threat of US sanctions. The development of chabahar port is also one of such key initiative by India.

Countries like china, pakistan, and Russia is now facing the international boycotts from western countries. China for covid 19 pandemic, Pakistan for terror financing and Russia for Ukrain invasion. Amidst all these crisis india is the only nation who can take a leading role in key decision makings in SCO platform that will be most sensible to the outside world.. In this regard, India's policy is perfect that she wont align with anybody specifically but will align with everybody equally.