Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests
Q4. Examine the evolving role of regional and plurilateral groupings in global governance. Analyse their relevance for India’s foreign policy. Suggest how India should prioritise its engagements. (15 M)
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: InsightsIAS
Why the question
To assess understanding of the shift in global governance from multilateralism to flexible coalitions and its implications for India’s foreign policy choices.Key Demand of the question
The question requires examining the changing role of regional and plurilateral groupings in global governance, analysing their strategic and economic relevance for India, and suggesting how India should prioritise its engagements in a fragmented global order.Structure of the Answer:
Introduction
Briefly indicate the transition from traditional multilateral institutions to flexible, issue-based groupings in global governance.Body
- Evolving role: Highlight shift towards agile, issue-specific and norm-setting platforms in global governance.
- Relevance for India: Explain how these groupings enhance India’s strategic autonomy, economic interests and global positioning.
- Prioritisation strategy: Suggest need for selective, interest-driven and outcome-oriented engagement approach.
Conclusion
Emphasise that a calibrated and strategic engagement with such groupings can strengthen India’s role in shaping emerging global governance structures.
