All Things Policy India’s Balancing Act: Between Regional Realities and Global Ambitions
Jul 4, 2025
Dr. Chietigj Bajpee, a Senior Research Fellow at Chatham House, shares insights on India's delicate balancing act between regional realities and global ambitions. He discusses India's charm offensive to enhance its international standing while grappling with complex ties to neighbors like Pakistan and China. The conversation also dives into India's unique geopolitical position as a voice for the global south and its evolving partnerships, particularly with European nations, amid shifting power dynamics.
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Limits of Global Charm Offensives
- Both India and Pakistan have tried to internationalize post-conflict but struggle to shift entrenched global perceptions.
- India's terrorism framing and Pakistan’s calls for mediation face limits due to diminished global interest in South Asia.
Neighborhood Challenges India’s Rise
- A challenging neighborhood complicates India’s rise as a global power but doesn't make it impossible.
- India needs regional economic integration like China did to bolster its global supply chain role.
Practical Steps for Regional Stability
- India should pursue economic and institutional integration with neighbors despite political tensions.
- Nuclear deterrence has helped maintain strategic restraint in India-Pakistan conflicts.