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India's foreign policy shifts from strategic autonomy to Viksit Bharat 2047 amid declining multilateralism and U.S.-China competition

Intl. RelationsPolitySUPPORT
Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCPrelims MediumMains HighStatic GK Link
13 Feb 2026
~2 min
Source: The Hindu
Key Data:February 13, 202619922010199520172018
Bodies:United NationsUN General AssemblyUN Security CouncilWTOBRICSQuadNATO
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What This Article Covers

1.The erosion of multilateral institutions (UN, WTO) and the rise of transactional power politics challenge India's long-standing doctrine of 'strategic autonomy'.

2.India is advised to reframe its foreign policy around the 'Viksit Bharat 2047' vision, emphasizing trade diversification, technological self-reliance (cyber superpower), and managing relations with the US, China, and Russia.

3.Examiners will focus on the evolution of India's foreign policy from Non-Alignment to the Quad, the concept of a 'swing state', and the strategic recommendations for India's future role.

The Big Picture
Prelims · MediumMains · High

The article critiques India's traditional foreign policy of 'strategic autonomy' as outdated in a world where multilateral institutions like the UN and WTO are weakening due to great power politics. It argues India must pivot towards a new framework centered on 'Viksit Bharat 2047', focusing on building endogenous capabilities, diversifying trade, and leveraging strategic partnerships with the US, Russia, and China to secure its rise as the world's third-largest economy.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Key Foreign Policy VisionViksit Bharat 2047
Year of Soviet Union Collapse1991
Year India joined the Quad2017
Countries where China is largest trading partner120
UN Agencies headed by China4
UN Institutions US withdrew from31

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Key Foreign Policy Vision: Viksit Bharat 2047
  • ›Year of Soviet Union Collapse: 1991
  • ›Target this Data: 120 (Countries where China is the largest trading partner)
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)
  • ›Target this Legal Point: WTO Dispute Settlement Mechanism (now dysfunctional)

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Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageMedium

The concept of 'Strategic Autonomy' in India's foreign policy is most closely associated with which historical context?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the challenges to multilateralism as discussed in the article:

1. The United States has withdrawn from several UN institutions, contributing to the weakening of the multilateral framework.

2. China's rise has had no impact on India's intellectual leadership position within United Nations negotiations.

3. The dispute settlement mechanism of the World Trade Organization (WTO) has become dysfunctional.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricEasy

According to the article, for how many countries is China the largest trading partner?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the proposed central objective of reframing India's foreign policy around 'Viksit Bharat 2047', as per the article?

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