UPSC CSE Mains Syllabus: GS-2-  Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests

In separate statements this week, External Affairs Minister laid out India’s world view in the face of global challenges, many of which pull it in different directions. Mr. Jaishankar’s contention was that non-alignment as a concept belonged to a bygone era and that multipolarity in the world necessitated that India would have to take a definite stand, and even take “risks” on issues such as connectivity, maritime security, terrorism and climate change.

India’s & multi-alignment:

Reasons:

Does this mean India abandons Non Alignment:

India does not reject non-alignment in its entirety.

While it would no longer remain disentangled from difficult decisions, it would not compromise on its independence.

Eg:

  1. Dehyphenation of Palestine issue on relationship with Israel.
  2. It is significant that despite multiple references by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to the India-China clashes, the deaths of Indian soldiers at Galwan Valley last month, and his call for India and the U.S. to jointly “counter” China, the government has rightly chosen not to raise its tensions with China in any forum other than bilateral talks with Beijing.
  3. Equally significant is the government’s outreach to Moscow. This included a visit by Defence Minister and the participation of External Affairs Minister in the Russia-India-China trilateral last month, and the External Affairs Minister’s comments that India should also seek to build coalitions with “middle powers”, such as the European Union and Japan.

This is evident that India retains its policy independence while maintaining close relationship with other nations.

Source:”The Hindu”.

POSSIBLE UPSC CSE MAINS QUESTION:

India has over the years moved from non – alignment to one of multi-alignment. What has necessitated such a change? Discuss.