India’s Foreign Policy and Erosion of Multilateralism

Erosion of Multilateralism: Withdrawal of the US from 31 UN bodies, paralysis of the WTO Appellate Body, and UNSC deadlock on Ukraine and Gaza.
Minilateral Groupings: QUAD, AUKUS, I2U2, International Solar Alliance (ISA) gaining prominence over universal platforms.
India’s Policy Shifts:
1947‑1964: Non‑alignment, Panchsheel, Afro‑Asian solidarity.
1964‑1991: Strategic security (Indo‑Soviet Treaty, Pokhran‑I).
1991‑2000: Economic diplomacy (LPG reforms, Look East).
2000‑2014: Multi‑alignment (US‑India nuclear deal, BRICS, G20).
2014‑Present: Assertive multi‑vector diplomacy, participation in QUAD, S‑400 purchase, Digital Public Infrastructure leadership.
Trade Challenges: India‑US Interim Trade Agreement’s “concessions first” clause; heavy reliance on Chinese critical minerals and electronics.

Great‑Power Rivalry: US “America First”, China “China First”, leading to unilateral tariff regimes and strategic coercion.
Institutional Paralysis:
UNSC: Veto power blocks decisive action; calls for reform to include emerging powers like India.
WTO: Appellate Body blocked since 2019, undermining dispute settlement.
Rise of Minilateralism: Smaller, issue‑based coalitions enable faster decision‑making (e.g., QUAD for security & technology, AUKUS for defence).
Global South Leadership: India’s Voice of Global South Summit, inclusion of African Union in G20 (2023).

Strategic Autonomy Redefined: From passive non‑alignment to calibrated multi‑alignment, balancing US, Russia, and China while preserving independent decision‑making.
Economic Security: Diversifying supply chains (Supply Chain Resilience Initiative, Pax Silica) to reduce dependence on China for rare‑earths, semiconductors, and APIs.
Technological Sovereignty: Leadership in Digital Public Infrastructure, ethical AI governance, and upcoming AI Impact Summit 2026.
Geopolitical Role: Positioning as a “Third Pole” – a stabilising force between the West and the Global South, leveraging minilateral platforms for influence.
Neighbourhood Policy: Pragmatic engagement with Pakistan, Maldives, Myanmar to counter China’s investment‑led diplomacy.

Article 51 (a) of the Constitution – Duty to foster respect for international law and treaty obligations.
Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 – Governs foreign aid and strategic partnerships.
Strategic Partnership Agreements – e.g., India‑US Civil Nuclear Agreement (2008) under the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 (U.S.) and the India‑Russia S‑400 deal under the Defence Procurement Procedure.

Understanding the shift from multilateralism to minilateralism is essential for both Prelims (facts) and Mains (analysis of India’s foreign policy.
Questions on WTO crisis, UNSC reforms, and QUAD/AUKUS are frequent in current affairs.
Analytical essays may focus on strategic autonomy, India as a leader of the Global South, and policy recommendations for supply‑chain security.