Erosion of Multilateralism: Reframing India’s Foreign Policy for Viksit Bharat 2047

Context

The global system is witnessing a steady decline of multilateral institutions such as the United Nations and the World Trade Organization. Rules-based international cooperation is increasingly being replaced by power politics, technological rivalry, and unilateral trade measures. India’s traditional foreign policy, built on leadership of the Global South and the doctrine of strategic autonomy, now faces structural constraints. In this evolving global environment, India must recalibrate its foreign policy to align with its long-term developmental vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

Q1. What does the erosion of multilateralism mean in the contemporary global order?

1. Erosion of multilateralism refers to the weakening of rules-based international institutions.
2. Major powers are increasingly bypassing global institutions and relying on bilateral and transactional arrangements.
3. The dispute settlement mechanism of the WTO has become dysfunctional, reducing predictability in global trade.
4. Unilateral tariffs and economic coercion have replaced consensus-based decision-making.
5. The United Nations system has lost influence due to geopolitical competition and institutional paralysis.
6. As a result, international law and collective governance mechanisms are weakening.

Q2. How has India historically benefited from the multilateral institutional framework?

1. India derived diplomatic influence through leadership of the Global South.
2. It played a significant role in shaping negotiating texts within the United Nations General Assembly.
3. Multilateral forums allowed India to defend the interests of developing countries against advanced economies.
4. Climate negotiations and trade discussions provided India with normative and intellectual leadership.
5. Strategic autonomy was strengthened because global rules limited unilateral pressure from powerful nations.
6. The multilateral system provided smaller economies space to pursue independent policy choices.

Q3. Why is the doctrine of strategic autonomy facing limitations today?

1. Strategic autonomy emerged during the Cold War under the framework of the Non-Aligned Movement.
2. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, it evolved into a diplomatic identity rather than a structural necessity.
3. Today, geopolitical competition is driven by technological dominance, not ideological blocs.
4. India is increasingly described as a swing state rather than an autonomous pole.
5. Simultaneous engagement with the United States, Russia, and China has become more complex in a competitive environment.
6. The doctrine does not fully address economic and technological dependencies in a globalised world.

Q4. How are power politics and transactional diplomacy reshaping international relations?

1. Major powers are prioritising national interest over global consensus.
2. Trade relations are increasingly governed by reciprocal tariffs and economic leverage.
3. Supply chains are being restructured to prevent the rise of rival manufacturing powers.
4. Alliances are becoming issue-based and transactional rather than institutional.
5. Technological ecosystems are emerging as new arenas of competition.
6. Multilateral cooperation has been replaced by asymmetric bargaining between unequal powers.

Q5. What challenges does the changing global order pose for India?

1. India’s traditional leadership within multilateral institutions has diminished.
2. Export-led growth faces constraints due to protectionist trade measures.
3. Technological competition limits access to advanced innovations.
4. Pressure from major powers may restrict India’s policy flexibility.
5. Global uncertainty increases economic and strategic vulnerabilities.
6. The space that enabled China’s rapid industrial rise under multilateral rules is no longer available.

Q6. Why must India reframe its foreign policy beyond strategic autonomy?

1. Strategic autonomy alone does not guarantee economic transformation.
2. India’s primary objective is achieving Viksit Bharat 2047, which requires sustained economic growth.
3. Foreign policy must support domestic capability-building in technology, manufacturing, and innovation.
4. Development-centric diplomacy is more relevant than symbolic geopolitical positioning.
5. India must prioritise economic resilience over rhetorical leadership.
6. A pragmatic and growth-oriented foreign policy framework is essential in a fragmented world order.

Q7. What reforms are necessary to align foreign policy with Viksit Bharat 2047?

1. India must strengthen endogenous technological capabilities.
   1. Investment in artificial intelligence, cyber security, and semiconductor manufacturing must increase.
   2. Indigenous research and innovation ecosystems should be prioritised.
2. Trade diversification must be accelerated.
   1. Exports should be expanded beyond traditional Western markets.
   2. Engagement with Asia and Africa should deepen through balanced Free Trade Agreements.
3. Digital and financial cooperation must be expanded.
   1. Cross-border digital payment systems should be strengthened.
   2. Emerging economy platforms such as BRICS can be repositioned for economic coordination.
4. India should maintain calibrated engagement with all major powers to avoid overdependence on any single bloc.

Q8. How can India balance relations with major powers in a multipolar world?

1. Relations with the United States should focus on technology access, capital flows, and innovation partnerships.
2. Cooperation with Russia should continue in defence, energy, and space sectors.
3. Constructive economic engagement with China should be pursued with appropriate safeguards.
4. Regional diplomacy in South Asia should emphasise economic integration and stability.
5. India must avoid rigid alignments while ensuring strategic clarity in core interests.
6. Balanced diplomacy will enable India to emerge as an independent and credible pole in a multipolar system.

Conclusion

The erosion of multilateralism marks a decisive shift from rules-based governance to power-centric competition. India’s traditional doctrine of strategic autonomy, while historically effective, is insufficient to navigate this new reality. The future of Indian foreign policy must be anchored in economic transformation, technological self-reliance, and resilient trade networks aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. By strengthening endogenous capabilities, diversifying partnerships, and practising calibrated diplomacy, India can convert global uncertainty into strategic opportunity and secure its place in the emerging world order.