Will India’s foreign policy decisions be a test for their superpower ambition?

India’s international influence is growing, and it’s now at a geopolitical crossroads.

With a GDP of more than $3 trillion, India is the fifth largest economy in the world, behind Germany, Japan, China and the United States.

Ever since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, India has been mostly tight-lipped in condemning Russia over the act. Instead, India has boosted its imports of heavily discounted Russian oil since the war began.

Karthik Nachiappan, who researches Indian foreign policy at the National University of Singapore, noted that the country has a growing influence in the Global South, which is mainly made up of countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

“Non-alignment has been a primary strategy that has covered Indian foreign policy through the decades,” Nachiappan told CNBC.

“It has given Indian governments over the years a tool, to not entangle itself into issues or affairs that would harm its national interests, primarily economic development,” he added.

However, India’s policy of non-alignment has incrementally transformed into a policy of multi-alignment over the years, Nachiappan added.

Don McLain Gill, a geopolitical analyst at De La Salle University, says India has an independent approach to its foreign policy.

“It is beyond neutrality and looking into ways where India will be able to contribute responsibly and at the same time look after its own interests,” Gill said.

But as the world becomes more polarized, India’s foreign policy decisions will test the country’s superpower ambitions. Watch the video to find out more.

#CNBC #India #G20 #Modi

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[JohnSmith-rjoz]

A superpower doesn’t pick sides. It creates sides. India will create its own side that works for itself.

[goodluckokereke]

India does not have to lean left or right, East or west. India should do what is best for them.

[fxoobic]

CNBC :Left or right ?
India: Straight 💪

[lindanihlanze]

It is not non alignment, it is being on the side of diplomacy and peace.
I don't think you can complete the geopolitical analysis of India without mentioning Pakistan and the US's support of Pakistan. It is one of the reasons India continues and will continue the so called balancing act. Some things can't be seen only through trade volumes.

[stairwaytoheaven]

India should remain an independent power while developing it's economy, it will be quite a loss to its people and the world if it gives up its freedom for money.

[pranavrathi]

India has moved from non-alignment to multi-alignment

[vinitvsankhe]

Somehow I don't see Western media asking Switzerland to take sides.

That's exactly what India's foreign policy is. India decides to be neutral. It's intending to be friendly with everyone.

[vinayak_singhh]

Non alignment means not funding others war.

[harikesavareddy]

India will do things in India's way.

[darkknight-yupq]

The way forward for bharat is to balance its national interests and its civilizational values

[manishyadav-grdj]

As an Indian we don't want our govn to pick sides and our govn is doing that, this is a democracy
It isn't USA that without people permission u do anything.

[kirtigupta]

India never picks sides !
India is a Civilizational State.
When the Westerners were roaming around in loin clothes, Indian Universities like Takshashila and Nalanda were teaching 10k students from around the world 2500 amd 1500 years back. So, don't preach the oldest continuously inhabited civilization in the world.

Infact the Western World can learn deft diplomacy from India because it's the only nation which can bring friends and foes together.

[JatinV]

While Modi is tagged as right by many in media, current gov is the most left/liberal/ Pro business government we have EVER got!! With Policies like Ease of doing business or working with law to Reforms distrust or bankruptcy code.. The Protectionnism point about Rice is due to taking back of Farm Laws due to protest and wrong media portrayel, which is the most commie, anti free market thing we have hold from pasttt, politics is very cheap and dirty here

[jacobjohn]

When the West shunned India, Russia was always with India so the relationship is time tested across the political parties🎉

[utkarshverma]

Wow! A report on India from a western media house and we didn't see the term "Hindu Nationalist" being used to refer to Modi even once! I'm really impressed! Didn't know western journalists were capable of not mentioning it where it didn't make sense.

[steveagola]

Pick sides. Why? Bcoz of Ukraine? Non alignment is working like a charm for them.

[akashvalsan]

The West has already started to relate India with superpower status. Speaks a lot about the rising status of India even though we still a developing country. A long, exciting and challenging journey for Bharat ahead. 🇮🇳♥️ Jai Hind.

[kindofanmol]

Its funny how Western media just can't help but show *only* the crowded markets whenever they mention India, while whenever any Western country is mentioned, its always the cherry-picked affluent areas. Would love for you guys to show the homeless tents in L.A. or the drug-infested f!lthy streets of SanFrancisco whenever the U.S. gets mentioned.

[priyashmukherjee]

*INDIA WILL NOT GO ANY SIDE, INDIA WILL CREATE ITS OWN INDIAN SIDE*

[competitivestudymotivation]

India is 1/5 th of world population, India is the 5th largest economy, India's civilisation is one of the oldest in the world, India's army one of the strongest in the World, that is why we choose to be neutral, India is entitled to have its own priority, surely one day India creates its own axis😊 Namaste 🙏for the world from India, 🇮🇳❤