Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests
Q4. “Great-power competition often constrains the strategic choices of middle powers.” Analyse the implications of U.S.-China rivalry for India’s foreign policy. Discuss the opportunities and limitations arising from it. (10 M)
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: IE
Why the question
The intensifying U.S.-China rivalry is reshaping the global strategic landscape and influencing the foreign policy choices of emerging powers such as India. Understanding its opportunities and constraints is crucial for analysing India’s strategic autonomy and external engagements.
Key Demand of the question
The question requires analysing how U.S.-China competition affects India’s foreign policy choices and strategic space. It also requires examining both the opportunities and the limitations that arise for India from this geopolitical rivalry.
Structure of the Answer:
Introduction
Briefly mention the emergence of great-power competition as a defining feature of the contemporary international order and its implications for middle powers.
Body
- Implications for India’s foreign policy: Explain how the rivalry influences strategic autonomy, security calculations, regional diplomacy, economic choices and multilateral engagement.
- Opportunities arising from the rivalry: Discuss gains relating to strategic relevance, technology cooperation, investment flows, supply-chain diversification and global influence.
- Limitations arising from the rivalry: Analyse challenges such as alignment pressures, economic disruptions, strategic dependence risks, regional instability and policy constraints.
Conclusion
Conclude by highlighting that India’s objective should be to leverage opportunities while preserving strategic autonomy through multi-alignment, capability enhancement and independent decision-making.
