Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
Q4. Why has cooperation among Asian middle powers acquired greater strategic relevance? Discuss its implications for India. (10 M)
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: IE
Why the question
The question examines the changing geopolitical dynamics in the Indo-Pacific, particularly the growing role of Asian middle powers, and their implications for India’s foreign policy and strategic autonomy.
Key Demand of the question
The question requires explaining why cooperation among Asian middle powers has become strategically significant in the evolving regional order. It also demands an analysis of the implications of this trend for India’s strategic, economic and diplomatic interests.
Structure of the Answer:
Introduction
Introduce the emergence of Asian middle powers and the shift towards issue-based partnerships in the Indo-Pacific.
Body
- Reasons for growing relevance: Explain the major geopolitical and geo-economic factors driving cooperation among Asian middle powers.
- Implications for India: Discuss how such cooperation influences India’s strategic autonomy, security, economy and regional role.
Conclusion
Conclude by highlighting that deeper engagement with Asian middle powers can strengthen India’s position as a leading power in a multipolar Indo-Pacific.
