Description
This paper explores India’s role in fostering a diversified approach to International Relations (IR), challenging the Western-centric foundations of the discipline. As a postcolonial nation grounded in distinct philosophical traditions, India offers unique perspectives through principles like Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family), Ahimsa (non-violence), and from non-alignment to forming Strategic Alliances, fostering Strategic Autonomy. These foundational ideas challenge traditional IR concepts of sovereignty, power, and security, proposing alternate frameworks centered on ethical universalism and regional cooperation.
India’s "Act East" policy and South-South cooperation initiatives underscore its vision of a multipolar global order that champions regional autonomy, minimizes reliance on Western powers, and builds solidarity within the Global South. Through active participation in forums such as BRICS and the Indian Ocean Rim Association, India exemplifies a pluralistic, non-hegemonic approach to global governance that respects sovereignty and supports diverse alliances.
This paper argues that India’s evolving contributions disrupt Eurocentric paradigms in IR, emphasizing the need for a more context-sensitive discipline. By integrating Indian intellectual traditions and regional knowledge systems, IR can embrace a richer, more inclusive framework that better addresses the complexities of a multipolar world and elevates Global South perspectives.
