The End of Western Trade? India’s New Eurasian Power Play

Name: The End of Western Trade? India’s New Eurasian Power Play
Uploaded: 2026-07-12T02:31:20+00:00
Duration: 44 min 36 s
Channel: Think BRICS

00:00Welcome back to Think Bricks. As we know, India is at the geopolitical crossroad as the global

00:07landscape shifts and New Delhi must maintain its strategic autonomy while bridging the gap between

00:13the global south, Eurasian continent and the west. And to understand better how India's foreign policy

00:19really works, you can just look at public statements. So you need to talk to people who

00:24are actually shaping the strategy. That's why our guest today is a very important person

00:30in this area as Dr. Shoaib Khan, founder and president of the Al-Faz Education and Cultural Society in

00:38Mumbai, a visiting faculty member at the Center for Central Eurasian Studies at the University of

00:45Mumbai and the head of the Russian House International Relations Club in Mumbai, also known to be an

00:52advisor to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. So joining us to discuss New Delhi's grand strategy

00:58is Dr. Shoaib Khan. Thank you so much for being here with us. Our friend Lorenzo Bassini and the editor

01:07of this journal, I thank you very much for inviting me to participate in this interview for your prestigious

01:17general. Dr. Khan, let's start with the immediate headlines. This is a monumental year. As we know,

01:25we have the BRICS summit in New Delhi going on September and New Delhi has been managing a rapidly

01:32expanding block with diverse and sometimes conflicting national interests. So in your view, what have been the

01:40main strategic priorities pursued by New Delhi during this chairmanship? And looking at the internal

01:49dynamics, what unique role can India play in ensuring cohesion and acting as a mediator among the often

01:57divergent interests of its members? Then I would like to say that managing a rapidly expanding block presents

02:08profound geopolitical challenges. India's strategic approach, which includes several specific priorities

02:16and diplomatic maneuvers as well. When you see the balancing of the great powers, New Delhi continues

02:24to maintain its multi-alliance stance by navigating tensions between West Russia and China. India strongly

02:35advocates that BRICS should focus on reforming global governance rather than replacing it. It also views

02:43that the grouping is a multilateral platform designed to amplify the voices of emerging economies.

02:54India is championing its proven open architecture frameworks as scalable development modules for the

03:03global south offering practical solutions rather than strictly in geopolitical positions. In broadening

03:12the agenda to address shared non-contentious priorities such as cyber security, artificial intelligence governance,

03:21healthcare and energy access. If you see the 2026 BRICS foreign ministers meeting in New Delhi,

03:30the growing internal contradictions of an expanded BRICS at a moment of acute geopolitical instability convened

03:39under the theme that is called Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability. The meeting was

03:47intended to consolidate momentum ahead of the BRICS Leaders Summit scheduled for September 20, 2026.

03:54Instead, the escalating U.S.-Israel confrontation with Iran transformed the gathering into a revealing display

04:04of the tragic pressures increasingly shaping the block. The clearest indication of these divisions was the

04:12inability of BRICS foreign ministers to agree on a full joint statement. In its place emerged a chair's

04:19statement, an outcome document that reflected consensus on broad developmental priorities while carefully

04:28sidestepping irreconceivable disagreements over the Middle East crisis. The absence of a unified declaration was

04:37not merely procedural. It underscored the widening divergence in how BRICS members interpret security,

04:45sovereignty, sovereignty, and regional order in relations with the West. Now, India effectively articulates the

04:51developmental challenges of developing nations to wealthy Western blocs. During its G20 Presidency,

04:58India concretized this by hosting the Voice of the Global South Summit and successfully advocating for the

05:04African Union's permanent G20 membership. Strategic autonomy that we talk about. India maintains a policy of multi-alignment,

05:16enabling open dialogue with conflicting major powers. It serves as a credible black channel for de-escalation,

05:24balancing relationships across complex fault lines such as Eurasia, the Indo-Pacific, and West Asia.

05:30India walks the talk by sharing its scalable solutions in digital public infrastructure,

05:38renewable energy, and financial inclusion through capacity building and technical assistance programs

05:45like ITEC. It also fosters shared economic stakes with fellow developing nations. It emphasizes the dialogue,

05:53humanitarian relief, and mutual respect to stabilize regional and global friction points without

05:58interventionist policies. Through these internal and external frameworks, India transforms potential

06:05divides into pathways for collaborative, equitable, and sustainable global governance.

06:11International conflict mediation provides distinct tactical advantage. As countries like the United States,

06:20Norway, Qatar, and China expand their roles in global peace diplomacy,

06:24India also should do likewise an international conflict resolution to lead in a multipolar world. It must enhance

06:32its institutional capacity, develop a team of skilled negotiators, and formulate a strategic doctrine

06:39that frames mediation not as idealism but as pragmatic statecraft, a tool for influence, stability, and global

06:48guerrilla relevance. When we see this stance has often been interpreted as a strategic passivity.

06:55The imperative now is not to be mediated but to become a mediator. As India's economic, diplomatic, and normative

07:03structure rises its absence from global conflict resolution is conspicuous. Despite championing multilateralism,

07:10global south solidarity and a rule-based order India hesitates to engage directly in peace negotiations,

07:20institutionalizing mediation would align its strategic posture with its aspirations.

07:28Thank you, Dr. Khan. It's fascinating how India balances these internal dynamics and it brings us directly to the

07:36foundational philosophy of the Indian diplomacy. So what analysts frequently term as strategic autonomy.

07:44By your point of view, how does this doctrine actually fit into India's broader vision of multipolarism?

07:51Especially how does New Delhi execute this balancing act in its parallel relationships with competing major powers

07:59countries like the United States, Russia, and China. I would say that India's doctrine of strategic autonomy and multi-alignment

08:08is the cornerstone of its vision for a multipolar world. By refusing to join formal alliances,

08:16New Delhi engages simultaneously with competing major powers. This approach maximizes its national interests,

08:23secure supply chains, secure supply chains, and projects India as an indispensable mediator between rival blocks.

08:30New Delhi executes this balancing act through issue-based partnerships, calibrated neutrality,

08:36and parallel engagement in competing multilateral forms. New Delhi also navigates these parallel relationships by

08:44treating them as independent, de-hyphenated bilateral tracks. Rather than choosing a single block,

08:51India leverages its geoeconomic weight to compel competing powers to engage with it on its own terms,

08:59positioning itself as a sovereign decision-making swing state. India has access to various markets

09:07from United Kingdom to European Union to Japan to Gulf countries to Central Asia, Southeast Asia, Russia,

09:13and Africa, even a working relationship with China on trade. The strategic doctrine emerging from this

09:20web of initiatives is not non-alignment. It is a sovereign realism rooted in hard power and economic

09:26state ground. India is not equally distant from global power centers. It is equally engaged. It is open

09:34to trade with the United States, committed to parity with China, and loyal to its defense partnership with

09:40Russia. But none of these relationships are absolute. Each is conditional on reciprocity and respect for

09:48sovereignty. This is a foreign policy model for the 21st century, adaptive, confident, and self-interested.

09:56The stakes are high as the global order is fragmenting and old alliances are losing coherence.

10:02The United States led a liberal international order is facing pushback, not just from adversaries,

10:09but from emerging civilizational powers like India, which are unwilling to play second fiddle.

10:15China's economic and political rise and Russia repositioning itself from isolation to realignment.

10:21In this flux, India is with the scale, with its demographic dividend and civilizational confidence

10:29to assert itself without falling into dependency traps. Now, executing such a strategy is no easy

10:36fate. It requires political stability, long-term vision, and the ability to absorb short-term diplomatic

10:43shocks. It requires refusal to pressure from Washington, positive stance to legacy ties with

10:50Moscow and future hope to Beijing, depending on the situation. It is a tightrope walk, yes, but one that

10:57is being walked with a remarkable steadiness. The boldness of this foreign policy deserves applause,

11:02not because it defies global powers, but because it refuses to submit to their narratives.

11:10Now, India is asserting itself as a sovereign pole in a multipolar world. It is crafting a foreign

11:16policy doctrine where interests and not ideology drive engagement. It is anchoring itself in the

11:23Indo-Pacific without becoming a pawn in America's containment game. It is rebuilding trust with Russia

11:30India without being isolated by the West. It is managing a cold peace with China without appeasement,

11:41and it is reimagining its economic future by reshaping supply chains and securing critical

11:48technologies. This is not just a balancing act. It is a strategy in geopolitical navigation. In an era of

11:58volatility, India is not merely responding to global ships. It is shaping them.

12:04Well, let's move to the European link and the soft power diplomacy. This autonomy allows India to build

12:12bridges where overseas walls. If we look toward the West, we notice a compelling paradox. India and Europe are

12:21visibly strengthening their institutional ties across the board. Too many in Brussels, India appears to be the deal

12:27partner. That's it. So, yet from the perspective of the BRICS Plus countries, New Delhi is seen as a superpower

12:36that can uniquely engage with the European market that has largely closed itself off to Russia and China, as we

12:43know.

12:43What real prospects and strategic horizons do you see opening up for relations between India and Europe

12:53right now? Well, India and Europe are experiencing a major diplomatic and economic convergence these days,

13:02driven by a mutual need to supply chains and navigate unpredictable US foreign policy. This generational

13:10alignment blends European innovation capital and precision with India's massive scale technological

13:16adaptability and growing workforce. Both blocks, if you see, are increasingly positioning themselves

13:22as stabilizing anchors in a fragmented global order, balancing against US-China polarization.

13:30One can explore the specific pillars of this diplomatic roadmap, which was outlined in a

13:36joint European Union-India comprehensive strategic agenda. The current global landscape is characterized

13:43by deep fragmentation of transactional approach to international politics and rising geopolitical

13:49uncertainty. In this moment of fracture, Europe and India have a generational opportunity to forge a

13:56strategic partnership. Both regions are anchors of a rules-based order and have witnessed the consequences of

14:03its erosion through the weaponization of trade. Most importantly, they share a common aspiration,

14:10sustainable, inclusive growth for their people. Both regions are also at defining inflection points.

14:17Europe is a powerhouse of innovation, is confronting external dependency that challenges its economic

14:24servility. India, driven by its own vision, is not only transitioning towards its economic status,

14:31but also stepping into a larger geopolitical role. While European Union-India trade is already strong,

14:39I do not have the exact figures, which may be around 200 billion euros annually. That is just my estimation.

14:50Exact figures I don't have in present, but it is around 200 billion euros annually. And this figure

14:56under represents the true potential. As the old guarantees of globalization, trust and predictability fade,

15:04Europe and India have an opportunity to craft a new framework. A partnership built on real silence and is

15:11designed to create lasting darkness. While there is clear potential for Europe and India to strengthen their

15:17relationship for mutual benefit, the limitations of further cooperation are also apparent. From a European

15:28perspective, India's enduring relationship with Russia constitutes a significant challenge for deeper

15:37engagements. Although the historical relationship between Moscow and New Delhi seems to be in decline,

15:43as reflected by a significant reduction of India's crude oil imports from Russia and diversification in its

15:48military acquisitions, New Delhi appears reluctant to abandon the relationship, particularly given

15:54external lead for energy supply. European policymakers recognize that they would have very limited leverage

16:00to change these ties at best, as they are part of India's foreign policy of multi-alignment. In fact,

16:07Indian policymakers emphasize that other powers would not have a veto on India's engagement with

16:12different partners. Now, the Russia-India ties implies significant constraints on the Europe-India

16:18relationship. As many European countries view Russia as the greatest threat to European security,

16:23skepticism is growing regarding defense cooperation between Europe and India, both bilaterally and at the

16:29European Union-India level. This includes the security of information agreement, which outlines the terms for

16:35exchanging classified information and is currently under negotiations. Engagement with India will require

16:42European policymakers to strike a balance. While cooperation with Delhi can be beneficial to both

16:47sides, other issues are unlikely to be resolved. Recognizing these limitations can allow both sides to focus on

16:53tangible outcomes rather than unrealistic ambitions. When you talk about the strategy context, it is currently

17:00favorable for further engagements between Europe and India as both have experienced a significant

17:05deterioration in their respective relationship with the United States under the Trump administration,

17:11as reflected in the external tariffs against India in 2025 and the United States differences with

17:17European Union on NATO engagements in Ukraine. Given the uncertain tragic trajectory of the United States,

17:25Europe and India are primed for a closer partnership where interests and needs converge. But the political

17:31willingness to significantly invest in their relationship might fade if Washington becomes a more

17:37predictable partner. But geopolitics isn't just driven by trade routes and security packs,

17:44it's also driven by the power of attraction. So India is a civilizational state, boasting a philosophical,

17:52spiritual, cultural heritage that spans millennia. How heavily does the Indian government lean into cultural diplomacy

18:03as a core tool of soft power today? And what tangible results has it achieved on the worst stage in

18:12the recent years?

18:14I would like to say for years, the Indian government has been utilizing cultural diplomacy as a core component of

18:20its soft power strategy,

18:22by leveraging ancient traditions, spiritual philosophies, the diaspora and creative industries.

18:28India positions itself in fostering international partnerships, trade and tourism.

18:33India has been championing its soft power strategy and diplomacy since the days of NAM, non-aligned movement.

18:40Soft power is a nation's capacity to influence others through inspiration and attraction rather than force

18:48or pressure, unlike hard power which relies on military or economic might. Soft power operates by

18:56shaping global perceptions and preferences through cultural resonance, shared values and diplomatic engagement.

19:06It is persuasive approach that fosters cooperation and alignment by appealing to hearts and minds rather than imposing will.

19:15Cultural diplomacy and soft power are important instruments in regional and international cooperation

19:20and are of particular relevance in our region, that is South Asia. Culture and cultural diplomacy have emerged as the

19:28force to connect,

19:29to build bilateral relations, to build bilateral relations and to heal the ruptures created by history and politics.

19:34It may take time for such a process to mature since some of India's neighbors continue to be apprehensive of

19:42cultural connectivity across states and frontiers.

19:44In the contemporary international system, soft power has gained increasing significance as states rely more on attraction than coercion to

19:55shape global outcomes.

19:56Within this context, cultural fictions as a key resource in international relations.

20:02It has been examined that India soft power through cultural diplomacy with a specific focus on classical

20:09performing arts such as instruments such as instruments such as diplomatic engagements and as long-standing civilizational traditions provide a

20:15cultural foundation that enables meaningful international connections.

20:19When we talk about India's cultural diplomacy that has emerged as a pivotal instrument of soft power in the past

20:26decades,

20:27reshaping its global identity and influence in international relations,

20:30Now, India's cultural diplomacy functions not merely as a symbolic outreach but as a strategic tool in global governance which

20:41enables India to strengthen partnerships and assert leadership in multilateral forms such as the D20, BRICS and the United Nations.

20:52Analysing India's cultural initiatives and their reception to diverse regions,

20:56It has been highlighted for both opportunities and challenges in sustaining soft power as a complement to hard power.

21:04Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Khan.

21:05So, expanding on that idea of unconventional diplomacy, let's look at technology.

21:13As we know, India is globally recognized for its massive scientific research capabilities, a world-class talent pool and a

21:20heavy high-tech investment.

21:22So, in the era defined by intense technological competition and trade restrictions, how can science diplomacy serve as a vehicle

21:34for India's international upreaction, especially when building new partnerships with over-emerging economies?

21:41What's your opinion?

21:43For that, I would like to say that science diplomacy allows India to position itself as a trusted partner and

21:50leader of the global soft.

21:51By sharing scalable, cost-effective technologies and building joint research frameworks, India transforms diplomatic ties from traditional geopolitical advances into

22:01tangible mutual socio-economic development.

22:04Historically, the global scientific community operated on the implied agreement of borderless science, where knowledge flowed freely to advance collective

22:15human progress.

22:16Today, you can see that consensus is being depleted under the weight of a new geopolitical reality.

22:22As the lines between technological progress and national security blur, the collaborative frameworks of the 20th century are being tested

22:31by the competitive dynamics of the 21st century.

22:36When we talk about space diplomacy, most of the developing countries, including India, to an extent, are significantly depending on

22:43advanced nations from the West or in China.

22:47Moreover, their participation in space exploration activities revolves around gathering and transmitting data to enhance connectivity amongst their populace and

22:58thereby facilitate development.

22:59Here, India has demonstrated its interest in furthering space diplomacy and pushing the envelope on sustainable development, helping not only

23:09its own growth, but also the growth of other countries in the global south.

23:13India's low-cost and reasonable launch services have gained international attention.

23:19The data from these satellites can be used in various sectors, such as agriculture, water resources, and urban planning.

23:25As a part of its diplomacy initiative in its outer space, India can share such information with its regional allies

23:35and other developing states to facilitate their development targets.

23:38It is complementing its diplomatic outreach with the integration of technology with its domestic governance.

23:47Various national missions and soon-to-be-launched artificial intelligence mission resonate that India's will to integrate emerging tech with

23:55diplomacy to advance its economic and geopolitical interests.

23:59Now, many publications explored and examined how emerging technologies have become a new frontier of India's diplomatic outreach to promote

24:07its national interests.

24:09India's mission in building strong domestic capabilities, which is helping in forging deeper diplomatic engagements and international collaborations.

24:19It is also India being a developing nation, it lacks complete awareness of science diplomacy.

24:28However, there is a need to spread awareness about science diplomacy to increase its practical use in the policy formulations

24:34and implementations.

24:37India's foreign policy in the field of science diplomacy has been active in several issues, the most important of which

24:45are members and cooperation in international scientific organizations.

24:48holding and supporting scientific events and meetings, scientific exchange programs for health and scholarships, science diplomacy in the field of

24:59health, energy, and sustainable development promoting science diplomacy at the global level, which has been done in the past few

25:10years.

25:10This technological and economic leverage seems to be positioning New Delhi at the helm of a much larger movement.

25:18So, India is increasingly framing itself as the legitimate institutional voice of the global self.

25:25We see massive strategic investments in Southeast Asia, for example, and across the African continent also.

25:32Dr. Ken, what are the primary expectations that developing nations are now placing on India?

25:41And on the other side, what immense structural challenges does the leadership of India bring to New Delhi?

25:51I would like to say that India aspires to position itself as a key player in global governance by acting

25:56as a bridge between the global north and south.

25:59This is even from initiatives such as the voice of the global south summits and India's efforts to include the

26:04African Union in the G20.

26:06India's aspiration to be the voice of the global south must be complemented by listening to partner nations and crafting

26:14policies that reflect their needs.

26:17If India wants to play a bigger role globally, then it also has to confront the internal realities honestly.

26:24A rising nation cannot ignore its own contradictions.

26:30India cannot celebrate global recognition while pretending domestic challenges does not exist.

26:35For example, the country talks about becoming a $5 trillion economy and that ambition is important.

26:41But economic growth alone does not define leadership.

26:44A country that wants global influence also needs strong institutions, high quality education, efficient governance, and a population that is

26:53empowered to contribute productively.

26:56The truth is India has immense potential but also immense work to do.

27:00India is a country that produces engineers, entrepreneurs, scientists, and diplomats.

27:05At the same time, it struggles with basic issues like urban planning, infrastructure gaps, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and even access to

27:13quality education.

27:14Both realities exist at the same time.

27:17There are small, there are not, these are not small expectations.

27:21They come with pressures and that pressure will only increase if India continues growing economically and strategically.

27:28Power always comes with responsibility.

27:31The more influential the country becomes, the more carefully it has to act diplomatically, economically, and politically.

27:39When you say New Delhi should recognize, yes, that its efforts to claim leadership of the global south could be

27:47constrained by several factors.

27:49When you see the rise of a second non-aligned movement where many countries are prioritizing strategic autonomy to maximize

27:59their geoeconomic, geopolitical, and geostrategic interests.

28:02This implies that states in the global south may be reluctant to accept leadership from major powers such as China

28:09or India.

28:10Many developing countries rely simultaneously on Western nations and non-Western powers like China and Russia for economic growth, development,

28:18and responses to global economic challenges.

28:21Given India's relatively limited material resources, it may struggle to meet these countries' economic and development expectations or to assume

28:30a leadership role.

28:33And now, when you see India faces lingering resentment in some parts of the global south, partly because its position

28:40in international forums, especially the World Trade Organization, WTO, have at times conflicted with the interests of the other developing

28:48nations.

28:49India's strategic and economic footprints has been large enough to be noticeable, but small enough to allow flexibility in looking

28:57at partnerships and models for global order.

29:00Those days will soon pass.

29:02China's strength and belligerence will compel India to continue deepening a range of strategic partnerships and India's growing heft as

29:10an economic and technological hub will challenge its ability to retain its position as a balancing power on crucial global

29:17issues such as future conflicts in the Middle East.

29:19Ultimately, ultimately, India's security and domestic prosperity will be most closely linked to its relations with the United States and

29:29its partners.

29:30That we see India's outreach to global south countries could be a key determinant of its ability to maintain a

29:37balance between its strategic autonomy and rising power in an era of dynamic multipolarity and growing geopolitical competitions.

29:45Like India, many countries in the global south, resent the exclusion from the international system of governance and the legacy

29:51of a forced choice between great power competitors during the Cold War.

29:56At that time, however, global south countries remained fragmented, limiting their ability to resist the pressures of the international system

30:04to choose a side.

30:05But today, global south countries have begun to consolidate coalitions of like-minded countries, leveling up their ability to influence

30:13international politics.

30:15Let's move to the Eurasian dimension.

30:17It's a very interesting path in the future decade.

30:21So, assume on a region where you have very good expertise, extended expertise, old Eurasia.

30:32So, integration here is accelerating, not just diplomatically, but from concrete security infrastructure and energy networks.

30:42As we speak, the National Security Advisors meeting has brought continental security directly to the forefront.

30:48It's a very, very important meeting for India and in general for all Eurasian security.

30:54With projects like the International North-South Transport Corridor and a growing energy partnership, how does New Delhi intend to

31:05manage its long-term strategic positioning within the broader framework of the region cooperation and without disrupting its ties elsewhere?

31:16In the answer, I would like to say New Delhi manages its Eurasian strategy through multi-alignment and strategic autonomy.

31:26Simultaneously advancing the Eurasian Economic Union, EAEU, India free trade agreement to boost Eurasian trade while expanding security ties with

31:36the European Union and the Quad.

31:38But now, I think the Quad is in doldrums.

31:41India balances competing poles without compromising its sovereign interests.

31:47India circumvents geopolitical blockades by operationalizing non-Russian or multi-modal groups.

31:53Most notably using the Chabar port project and the INSTC to connect with Central Asia and Russia.

32:01India has had long-standing interests in the Central Asian region.

32:07Russian President Vladimir Putin's proposal for a Eurasian Union and the recent announcement of the creation of a Eurasian Economic

32:15Union raises some important questions for this.

32:19It has been argued that all these Indian initiatives to connect to Central Asia, INSTC, International North-South Transport Corridor,

32:32the IPI Iran-Pakistan-India Pipeline and TAPI Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India Pipeline now either have Russian support or involvement

32:41and do not pose a threat to Russia's interests in maintaining its status as first among equals in Central Asia.

32:48Further, if the proposed EEU, Eurasian Economic Union gains traction, it will enhance Russian influence over the states of Central

32:58Asia, which could in turn enhance Indian interests by facilitating greater access to trade and energy resources.

33:04India's engagement with Eurasia through connectivity projects presents one of the most significant strategic recalibrations in contemporary international relations.

33:16As you see, the global trade routes for unprecedented disruptions and geopolitical tensions will reshape the world order.

33:26India's approach to Eurasian connectivity has evolved from tentative economic engagement to assertive strategic positioning.

33:34The Indian perspective on these projects reflects a complex interplay of historical connections, contemporary geopolitical pressures, and future economic aspirations.

33:45After the Cold War, India began to more clearly see Eurasia, especially Central Asia, as part of its extended neighbourhood.

33:52This shift gained momentum when the region started being described as the arena of a new great game drawing renewed

34:00global attention.

34:02For India, this marked a significant change in foreign policy from a traditional focus on sea-based trade to a

34:08stronger interest in the continental part of Asia.

34:11India's ambitions of Eurasian connectivity face significant obstacles.

34:16Geographically, if you see, India has no direct land route to Central Asia and is dependent on third countries, one

34:23of them Afghanistan, which suffers from a poor security situation.

34:28Financially, India's financial resources are outmatched by those that China diverged to the Belt and Road Initiative for large-scale

34:35infrastructure development.

34:36The slow pace of the INSTC's completion, despite agreements dating back to 2000, reflects these resource limitations and the difficulties

34:45of complex multilateral coordination.

34:48Sanctions pose additional complications.

34:51U.S. sanctions for Iran created uncertainties for Indian businesses engaged in Chabar's development, despite American recognition of the port's

34:59humanitarian significance.

35:00The U.S.'s recent withdrawal of its sanctions labor for Chabar created new compliance challenges for India's entities, but the

35:09port is again under threat after the Iran-U.S.-Israel war.

35:13The India-led Eurasian connectivity projects have faced many economic and geostrategic challenges over the years that have slowed their

35:21progress.

35:21But these projects remain critical to the region, especially the Central Asian regions, to diversify their markets for imports and

35:28exports.

35:29These projects, if you see, can also bring much-needed geostrategic cohesion and geoeconomic dynamism to the rest of the

35:37continent.

35:37India must expedite these projects and policymakers must view investments in them as a strategy.

35:45New Delhi must also jointly develop and strengthen cooperation with these projects with the Central Asian regions and Iran.

35:52Furthermore, India must leverage its ties with these countries through existing bilateral and multilateral agreements to prioritize the connectivity projects

36:02to promote regional stability and whatever its role in the greater Eurasia.

36:09Thank you, Dr. Khan.

36:11Dr. Khan, to bring all this together, let's look at the bigger picture.

36:14Just for a final question.

36:16If we look ahead at the next 10 years, a decade, which many predict will be the final period of

36:24transition,

36:26how do you envision India's ultimate contribution to building a more stable, inclusive and truly representative multipolar international order,

36:37one that reflects the worst diverse civilizations, rather than just a selected few?

36:44I would say that India's ultimate contribution to a stable, inclusive, multipolar order lies in its multi-alignment strategy and

36:52its role as the voice of the Global South.

36:54But strategically balancing partnerships across both Western blocs like the Quad and Eurasian coalitions like BRICS, India prevents zero-sum

37:04geopolitical dividends.

37:05India's push for a more democratized and multipolar global order was a byproduct of its strategy of multi-alignment, as

37:14only in a multipolar world could multi-alignment be truly safeguarded.

37:19Consequently, India pushed for greater representations in the United Nations and Western-led international financial institutions such as the International

37:29Monetary Fund, IMF, and the World Bank.

37:32Rooted primarily in self-interest more than idealism, especially in recent decades, India's multi-alignment strategy does not preclude towards

37:41particular major power under contingencies.

37:44But when the utility of such tools has run its course, India has often corrected them, though sometimes with a

37:51significant time lag.

37:53However, multi-alignment is likely to remain India's preferred strategy for the foreseeable future, and its consequent efforts at democratizing

38:03the global order cannot be curbed beyond a point.

38:06India has also pursued its multi-alignment in multilateral institutions. During the 1990s and the 2000s, New Delhi took an

38:18independent position during the Doha round of the World Trade Organization negotiations, clashing with the United States and the European

38:26Union, while sometimes even cooperating with its historical adversary China.

38:31But as global uncertainty has increased, India has also sought to widen its multi-alignment net. After a lull in

38:40prioritizing Global South agendas, India has reasserted its identity as a major Global South player the year before it's hosted

38:48the Group of 20 G20 Summit that has included holding annual voice of the Global South summits and deepening bilateral

38:57traits with Brazil, Indonesia, and countries in Africa.

39:00India's membership in India. India's membership is another significant example of this approach.

39:06India was a founding member of BRICS in 2009 and instrumental in the 2014 establishment of its development finance institutions

39:15and New Development Bank.

39:17The bank, headquartered in Shanghai, follows international lending standards but imposes far less onerous conditions than Western-led international financial

39:26institutions.

39:28India works closely with BRICS partners on other aspects of the development agenda as well, like the climate action, World

39:35Trade Organization, WTO norms on trade, the health security among the more impactful.

39:40It is no secret that the United States-India relationship has taken a hit of late. High tariffs imposed by

39:47the Trump administration citing trade imbalances and India's purchases on Russian oil are the most awkward sign that all is

39:54not well.

39:54Though a recent trade deal has led to a major reduction in those tariffs and Russian oil is temporarily a

40:01non-issue due to the war with Iran, the sense of the major distrust remains on both sides.

40:06In the past, New Delhi's role in BRICS countries to rank in Washington, India favors a multi-polar world order

40:12for more than seven decades.

40:15New Delhi's policy elite have argued that such an order in which power was distributed between several major powers would

40:23be more stable, peaceful and equitable and more amenable to India's interests and values.

40:29India was frustrated during the Cold War, however, when two superpowers emerged to dominate the international system and then concerned

40:37when a unipolar order replaced by polarity after the disintegration of the Soviet Union.

40:43Moreover, India's troubled relationship with China has repeatedly driven New Delhi to align the country with other major powers and

40:51complicated the process of realising multipolarity.

40:54India has become a major participant in negotiating challenging international dynamics, leveraging its geopolitical relevance, strategic diplomacy and global economic

41:05development, analyzing India's position in a multi-polar world, including advances in foreign policy, strategic alliances, global governance contributions, economic

41:15diplomacy and security systems.

41:17India's geopolitical position is shifting from a leader of the non-aligned movement to a multi-aligned state managing major

41:24worldwide players like the United States, China, Russia and the European Union.

41:28There have been discussions on geopolitics, economics dependencies and security concerns simultaneously with India's active engagement in international institutions such

41:39as the United Nations, BRICS, G20 and the court.

41:41Analysts have assessed India's foreign policy approach and worldwide actions to provide knowledge of its influence in creating the multipolar

41:49world order and its implications on future international relations.

41:53When we talk about India's evolving position in a multipolar world is shaped ultimately by its increasing geopolitical, economic and

41:59technological impact.

42:01As world power dynamics evolves, India must negotiate challenging geopolitics and maintain strategic autonomy.

42:08India supports reforms in the Security Council of the United Nations and boosts its participation in international economic organisations, so

42:17multilateral diplomacy is mostly important.

42:20India will be able to share its influence in building a world government by raising involvement in forums, including the

42:26G20 BRICS and the court.

42:28India mostly aims for scientific and financial successes.

42:31If artificial intelligence, cyber security and fintech get great focus, India will be more concentrating in the digital economy.

42:39Strengthening regional partnership in Asia and the Indo-Pacific will help India's influence to be even more consolidated, to be

42:48even more consolidated, therefore ensuring stability and economic success in these vital fields.

42:55Despite these opportunities, India finds it difficult to manage regional issues, balancing relations with significant world powers and regulate domestic

43:06constraints.

43:07India's global competitiveness has to be raised by fixing infrastructure gaps, bureaucratic inefficiencies and economic disparities.

43:16Moreover, safeguarding India's long-term interests will mostly depend on maintaining a careful equilibrium between strategic autonomy and alliance building.

43:24India's capacity to adapt with the changes by means of pragmatic diplomacy, economic resilience and technological innovation will determine its

43:32face in a multipolar world order, thus enabling it to fit the changing global order by taking use of its

43:40advantages and limitations.

43:41India will have to make it to become a global stabilizing agent.

43:47That's a truly multi-civilization framework is indeed the cornerstone of tomorrow's stability.

43:54Dr. Khan, thank you so much for sharing your deep expertise and your decisions-ready insights with our audience today.

44:03And thank you to all of you and to everyone who watched this interesting interview.

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44:19See you next time.

44:20Yes.

44:21Thank you very much once again for inviting me.