Navigating India’s Geopolitical Challenges and Solutions

Context: India is at a crucial point in global geopolitics. Power balances are shifting, but India is not gaining as much influence as it should. It needs to act more boldly on the global stage.

What Challenges India Is Facing In The Geopolitical Landscape?

Silence on Acting Against Terrorism

• Operation Sindoor was India’s response to a terror attack in Pahalgam (April 2025), carried out by Pakistani terrorists.
• Despite clear evidence, many of India’s partners stayed silent on Pakistan’s role.

U.S.-India Friction

On the same day India-U.S. launched a major satellite (NISAR), the US imposed 25% tariffs on Indian goods.

• Trump threatened more tariffs if India kept buying oil from Russia, even though the U.S. itself still trades with Russia.
• Also discouraged U.S. companies from investing in India, pushing an “America First” agenda.

EU’s Uneven Treatment

The EU sanctioned an Indian refinery using Russian oil but allows its own members to keep buying from Russia.

• It continues to impose trade barriers on India while negotiating a new trade deal (India-EU Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA)).
• India is hoping its trade deal with the UK might pressure the EU to be fairer.

China’s Growing Influence

• China is making moves in India’s neighbourhood:
  • Proposed new alliances (like China-Pakistan-Bangladesh).
  • Helped Bangladesh revive an old airbase near India’s Siliguri corridor.
  • Supported Pakistan during Operation Sindoor.
  • Built influence in the Maldives.
• Trying to control key supplies to India, like:
  • Fertilizers
  • Medicines (APIs)
  • Rare earths
  • Technical experts
• Building a huge dam on the Brahmaputra River near India’s border.

Passive Foreign Policy Image

• India has stayed neutral or silent on major global crises (e.g., Gaza, Ukraine, Iran-Israel).
• While neutrality offers flexibility, it also limits influence and support from global powers in return.

Way Forward

• Push back against unfair treatment, as done in exposing the double standards of the U.S. and EU.
• Speak up more on global conflicts, as called for a ceasefire in Gaza, signalling a more active foreign policy.
• To stop further damage to U.S.-India ties, India must finalise a trade deal with the U.S. soon.
• India may not restart the RIC (Russia-India-China) alliance, but it should:
  • Strengthen BRICS (India hosts the 2026 summit).
  • Reconnect with the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation).
  • Engage more with East Asia, especially after missing out on the RCEP.

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