India’s Role in the New World Order: Between the West and the East

As the global balance of power continues to shift in the post-pandemic, post-unipolar world, India is emerging as a central player in the new world order. No longer confined to regional affairs or non-aligned diplomacy, India is now at the intersection of East and West, carving a role rooted in strategic autonomy, economic ambition, and soft power influence.

But what exactly is this "new world order," and how is India shaping—and being shaped by—it?

Let’s dive into India’s evolving role, its diplomatic dance between powers, and the path it is forging in an increasingly multipolar world.

🧭 What Is the New World Order?

The "new world order" refers to the changing global structure where power is no longer concentrated in the hands of a single superpower (like the US post-Cold War) but is now spread across multiple rising powers—including China, India, Brazil, the EU, and others.

Key traits of this new era:

US dominance is being challenged economically and diplomatically.

China is rising as a competing superpower.

Regional powers like India are asserting more independence.

Global institutions (UN, WTO, WHO) face credibility questions.

Geopolitical blocs are realigning (e.g., BRICS+, Quad, I2U2, SCO, G20+).

In this uncertain landscape, India isn’t just adapting—it’s shaping the rules of engagement.

🇮🇳 India’s Strategic Pivot: Between East and West

India’s foreign policy approach in this new world is multi-alignment, not non-alignment. This means it builds issue-based partnerships with both the East and the West, depending on national interest.

On One Side: The West

India enjoys strong partnerships with:

The United States: Strategic, defence, and tech cooperation

France & EU: Climate, education, and military collaboration

Israel: Defence tech and innovation

UK & Australia: Trade, education, diaspora links

These relationships offer India:

Access to high-end tech and defence systems

Support in international forums

Investments and education exchanges

On the Other Side: The East

India also engages with:

China (carefully): Despite tensions, it's still a major trade partner

Russia: Historic defence ally, major arms supplier, energy trade

Middle Eastern powers: UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Iran are crucial for energy security and diaspora

Southeast Asia: ASEAN members are partners in India’s Act East Policy

India leverages eastern ties for:

Strategic energy needs

Regional influence in the Indo-Pacific

Countering China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)

🧠 This dual engagement keeps India independent, agile, and unpredictable to adversaries—a diplomatic strength in a volatile world.

🌐 India as a Bridge in a Polarised World

India’s unique strength is its ability to bridge ideological and economic divides.

It can talk to Washington and Moscow, Tel Aviv and Tehran, Beijing and Brussels.

It sits in BRICS with China and Russia, but also in the Quad with the US and Japan.

It speaks for the Global South while partnering with the Global North on tech and trade.

This makes India a crucial diplomatic mediator, especially on:

Climate negotiations

Vaccine equity and health diplomacy

Technology governance

Food and energy security

India’s role as a global problem-solver is becoming just as important as its economic or military strength.

💼 Economic Power: India’s Ticket to Global Influence

India’s economic rise is one of the key reasons for its growing role in the world order.

Now the 5th largest economy globally

Expected to reach $5 trillion GDP by the end of the decade

A booming digital economy and a startup ecosystem

Leader in pharmaceuticals, IT, and renewable energy

Trade Diplomacy:

India is using economic diplomacy to:

Sign bilateral trade deals with the UK, Australia, and the UAE

Reduce dependency on Chinese supply chains

Attract global investors through Production Linked Incentives (PLI)

Expand its role in the G20, WTO, and Indo-Pacific trade coalitions

💹 In the economic chessboard, India is not just a player—it’s a growing platform nation offering both market size and policy stability.

🛡️ Defence and Strategic Autonomy

India’s defence posture is changing—from reactive to proactive.

Increasing investments in indigenous defence production (Atmanirbhar Bharat)

Modernising armed forces with Western and Russian equipment

Expanding its naval presence in the Indo-Pacific

Conducting joint military drills with the Quad nations and ASEAN

Despite ties with the US, India refused to join Western sanctions on Russia post-Ukraine war, asserting its strategic autonomy.

🔒 This stance earned India respect from Global South nations looking for non-aligned leadership in a polarised world.

🎓 Soft Power: Culture, Diaspora, and Digital Reach

India’s role in the world isn’t just about power—it’s also about presence.

Cultural Reach:

Yoga, Bollywood, Indian cuisine, and classical arts enjoy global popularity.

Indian festivals like Diwali are celebrated in dozens of countries.

India's democratic values and pluralism are often referenced positively, even amid internal challenges.

Diaspora Diplomacy:

Over 35 million Indians live abroad.

India has leveraged its diaspora for:

Lobbying in foreign governments

Cultural influence

Business connections

Emergency support (e.g., during COVID-19)

Digital Influence:

India is one of the largest internet markets and is exporting:

Digital public infrastructure (e.g., UPI, Aadhaar stack)

Cyber diplomacy models

EdTech, HealthTech, and AgriTech innovation

📲 India’s digital diplomacy is a new pillar of global engagement.

🧠 India’s Global Vision: Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam

India’s foreign policy is increasingly guided by the ancient philosophy of:

Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — “The world is one family.”

This vision was echoed during India’s G20 presidency, where the focus was on:

Inclusive growth

Tech for good

Global health equity

Bridging North-South divides

In the new world order, India is positioning itself not as a superpower, but as a moral and collaborative power, focused on shared prosperity, peace, and development.