India readings and class

Power transition theory

Rising power means challenge and conflict the existing order

Globalisation

Process by which people, goods, services, capital, information and ideas move more freely across national borders, leading to increased interconnection, interdependence, and integration of economies, societies, and cultures worldwide.

Homogenisation

Process through which social differences are reduced, resulting in uniformity in culture, consumption patterns lifestyles, or social practices across regions or societies.

G-X multilateralism 

Concept that refers to a form of multilateral cooperation among a limited group of like-minded states, rather than involving all countries in a universal framework. 

Coalitions of states (G, plus number of others, X) coordinate policies, decisions or take action on global issues, to achieve outcomes more efficient than in universal forums like the UN

QUAD

Main partnership for India, between India, Japan, Australia and the US. Seen as a response to China.

Super power

The US or the Soviet Union, where the power has a comprehensive global reach.

Great power

Stretches beyond its intermediate region but not global in the same way as a superpower.

Middle power

A rising power that lacks system shaping capabilities. Gaps stopping India from being a great power is: no real global strike capability, limited ability to predict serious military power far beyond its region, do not decisively dominate its own neighbourhood Southeast Asia.

3 scenarios for India in world politics

Increased US dominance → India drifts closer, unlikely full binding alliance with the US due to geographic realities

Increasing Chinese ascendancy= worst case for India → China dominance leads to China + Pakistan alliance becomes stronger

Status Quo continues

o   Gradual pragmatic alliances with US, in defence strategy.

o   More traditional stance in the UN, trying to maximise its own leverage.

o   Playing multiple sides.

Shift one, two and three

Key changes for India 

• Balancing China in Indo-Pacific 

• Building security ties with the west 

• Third world movement, trying to build friends outside the two blocks 

IOR

Indian Ocean Region

CPTPP

Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership

Malacca strait

2/3 of all trade passes through the strait and 9/10 crude oils exporters are resident in the IOR.

80% of all Chinese trade goes through it.

Command and control vs democratic pluralism

China vs India regarding political, economic and social system

China: control, chiense socialism (Tianxia - all under one heaven. One emperor all should pay tribute to)

India: Democratic pluralism (Vaudhaiva Katumbakam - one university, one earth, one family)

Performative democracy

A political system in which democratic institutions and practices exist in form of appearance, but real citizen influence, accountability or decision- making power is limited or absent.

Prescriptive democracy

Refers to the ideal, normative or theoretical model of democracy: how it is prescribed to operate according to democratic principles, constitutions and political philosophy.

Maritime security

Crucial part for India, because of its strategic positioning in the Indo- Pacific region. Also because of Chinas maritime strength, with a large fleet and involvement in numerous ports in the region.

Entrepreneurial norms

Project based capacitation, ground level stakeholder transformation, unlocking precious opportunity for landlocked miniature states.

Strategic capacitation

is the deliberate development and enhancement of resources, skills, institutions, and structures that allow an actor to project power, influence outcomes, or respond effectively to opportunities and threats over time.

Strategic autonomy

the capacity of a state or actor to pursue its own strategic objectives, maintain freedom of action, and manage external dependencies while protecting its security, economic, and political interests.

India and EU’s strategic autonomy chimes, by ensuring economic, technological and strategic cooperation, sans security entanglements

Strategic resiliance

ability to anticipate, absorb, adapt to, and recover from internal or external disruptions in a way that protects and sustains strategic goals, interests, and capabilities.

India and European partners advance global commons, through in- concert initiatives, such as the ISA, CDRI, IPOI, IRIS, GGI, etc.

Strategic accommodation 

is the deliberate adjustment of strategy or policy by a state to manage power relations, mitigate threats, or maintain stability, without fully yielding or surrendering sovereignty.

EU and India remain advocates of non-exclusion, non-antagonism with partners in the Indo-Pacific

Strategic stability

condition in which the structure of international power, military capabilities, and deterrence relationships reduces the likelihood of conflict, encourages restraint, and maintains predictable interactions among states.

India and EU uphold rules based on international order through G/, G”=, UN, WTO, etc. both ensure China, as an economic partner, strategic competitor, and a systemic rival

Strategic standards

the established principles, performance benchmarks, or operational criteria used to measure, guide, and coordinate strategic decision-making and actions in pursuit of overarching goals.

India and the EU adopt five principles in infra-financing, viz., wider stakeholder consultation, fiscal viability, ecological sentience, need based grassroots demand, and non-preclusion. Against unilateral Rule-Making.

Union of Diversity

A democratised and multilateral way of cognition and action. India and Europe embody this.