Relevance : GS Paper II
Theme of the Article
In the coming five years, a host of geopolitical and economic issues need to be reconciled.
Recent international events of significance to India
- India was was the cynosure at the G-20 meeting in June, in Osaka.
- At the BRICs meeting, India discussed WTO and terrorism.
- Counter-terrorism and climate change discussed with China and Russia.
- In the Japan-India-U.S. grouping, India discussed the Indo-Pacific region.
A vastly altered situation
- While in the past India was able to take advantage of favourable conditions, this situation no longer exists.
- In the past, India managed a shift from non-alignment to multi-alignment. This is not possible at the present time.
- The global situation that made all this possible has altered. Rivalries among nations have intensified.
Challenges for India
- India needs to rework many of its policies in the coming five years.
- South Asia, in particular, needs close attention.
- India-Pakistan relations are perhaps at their lowest point.
- India has no role in Afghan affairs and is also excluded from talks.
- India’s position in Nepal and Sri Lanka remains tenuous.
- In West Asia again, India is no longer a player to reckon with.
- Across much of Asia, China is the major challenge.
- The challenge in the coming years for India is to check the slide, especially in Asia, and try and restore India to the position it held previously. India cannot afford to wait too long to rectify the situation.
- Deepening India-U.S. relations can make India becoming involved in a new kind of Cold War.
- Closer relations with the U.S. carries the risk of aggravating tensions between India and China.
- The strategic axis forged between Russia and China will impact India.
Way forward
- Apart from military power, India needs to possess disruptive technologies.
- Capabilities ned to be enhanced in areas such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology and cyber methodology.
- India needs to pay greater heed to its economy. Sustaining a rate of growth between 8.5% and 9.5% is
Conclusion
The looming challenge for India in the coming five years would be how to build a strong economic foundation.
