India’s waning star?             Author: Touqir Hussain

India once seen as the poster child of Western geopolitical dreams seems to be losing its shine on the global stage. The very Indo-Pacific strategy that thrust India into a spotlight of strategic relevance now lies in shambles, thanks largely to Trump’s wrecking-ball approach to global norms and his America First doctrine. With the war in Gaza and the Ukraine crisis unraveling the so-called “rules-based order,” India finds itself navigating a choppy sea without a compass. Once allowed to play both sides with its strategic autonomy, juggling relations with both the West and Russia, India is now caught in a tightening web of pressure, particularly over its Russian oil imports. Meanwhile, shifting alliances, crumbling institutions like BRICS, and Trump’s bare-knuckle bilateralism have exposed India’s vulnerabilities, leaving it groping for relevance in a global game it no longer controls.

What really knocks the wind out of India’s sails is its own overconfidence or hubris as the writer calls it. Once the darling of both East and West, India now finds itself increasingly isolated, its global standing chipped away by internal contradictions and external shocks. Trump doesn’t take kindly to mixed loyalties, and India’s insistence on going its own way has put it in his crosshairs. Even within platforms like BRICS and SCO, India appears to be out of sync, squeezed between China’s ambitions and Russia’s recalibrated priorities. As the writer argues, the days of India calling the shots while sitting on the geopolitical fence may be coming to an end. The world is changing fast, and India must either adapt to the new rules of the game or be left watching from the sidelines. It might bounce back but not without swallowing some bitter pills first.

Overview:

This article provides a sharp analysis of India’s declining influence in global affairs amid changing power dynamics, particularly under Donald Trump’s foreign policy approach. It discusses how India’s geopolitical prominence once elevated by the Indo-Pacific strategy, has taken a hit due to crumbling alliances, shifting Western priorities, and India’s uneasy fit in blocs like BRICS and SCO. It also underscores how Trump’s transactional diplomacy, the war in Gaza, and the pressure over Russian oil imports have cornered India into unfamiliar terrain, forcing it to rethink its global strategy.

NOTES:

The article outlines how India’s once-soaring global stature is facing a decline amid a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape. India’s rise, earlier fueled by the Indo-Pacific strategy under leaders like Biden and Abe, has been disrupted by Donald Trump’s transactional and unilateral approach to international relations. The collapse of the so-called “rules-based order” due to the wars in Gaza and Ukraine has further muddied the waters. India’s long-held strategic autonomy—balancing ties with both the West and Russia is under strain, especially as the US pressures India to reduce oil imports from Moscow. Furthermore, India’s position in alliances like BRICS and SCO is being challenged by the China-Russia partnership and the broader fragmentation of multilateral blocs. Trump’s emphasis on loyalty and bilateralism has further isolated India, exposing its limited maneuverability. The article suggests that India must reassess its diplomatic strategy, as it can no longer comfortably straddle multiple global power centers without facing consequences. The shifting tides require India to move away from past hubris and adapt to a world where old alliances and privileges can no longer be taken for granted.

CSS Subject Relevance:

• International Relations: Shifting alliances, Indo-Pacific strategy, US-India-China triangle
• Current Affairs: Global power reordering, Trump’s impact on multilateralism, India’s diplomatic struggles
• Political Science: State behavior, hubris in foreign policy, bilateralism vs multilateralism
• Essay Paper: Decline of global institutions, realignment of world powers, future of strategic autonomy

Notes for Beginners:

This article explains how India once favored by both the West and Russia is now losing that status due to changing global politics. For example, it used to buy oil from Russia freely, but now the US is unhappy about it and might impose penalties. India also tried to stay friends with everyone like China, Russia, and the US but now that’s not working so well. It’s like trying to please too many people at once and ending up pleasing no one. The world is changing, and India must change with it or risk being left behind.

Facts and Figures:

• India’s strategic autonomy is under pressure due to Russian oil purchases amid US sanctions
• BRICS and SCO losing cohesion due to internal rivalries and China-Russia dominance
• Trump’s America First policy weakening traditional alliances and institutions
• Indo-Pacific strategy sidelined in favor of economic nationalism and bilateral deals

To wrap up, the article calls out the tectonic shifts shaking the global order. It’s a reminder that international politics isn’t just about playing your cards right, it’s also about knowing when the rules of the game have changed. India’s old playbook of strategic autonomy may no longer cut it in a world where transactional diplomacy is the new norm. As great powers realign and emerging blocs fragment, India must rethink its posture and purpose if it wants to stay in the race. The shine may have dulled, but the game’s not over yet.

Difficult Words and Their Meanings:

1. Hubris – Excessive pride or self-confidence

Syn: Arrogance | Ant: Humility

2. Ambivalent – Having mixed or contradictory feelings

Syn: Uncertain | Ant: Clear-cut

3. Protégé – Something or someone developed under the guidance of another

Syn: Disciple | Ant: Rival

4. Overweening – Showing excessive confidence or pride

Syn: Presumptuous | Ant: Modest

5. Reinvigorated – Made strong, fresh, or active again

Syn: Revived | Ant: Weakened