PSIR current affairs 1^st January 2026

Topic: India and New world order

PYQs linkage:

• Vision of a new world order has emerged as the major objective of India’s foreign policy. Discuss the policy initiative taken by India in this regard and the challenges faced by it. 20 (2015)
• Evaluate India’s vision of a new world order. 20(2019)
• Critically examine the role of India in shaping the emerging world order. 15(2020)
• Discuss India’s vision of a New World order in the 21st century. 15(2022)
• For India, a multipolar world order would also mean a multipolar Asia. Comment. 10 (2025)

Theory application: 

• The Westphalian Constitution of world order: the treaty of Westphalia established the legal basis of modern statehood, and by implication the fundamental rules or constitution of modern world politics.
• Realist model of world politics: Billiard ball model (Unipolar, Bipolar)
• Liberal model of world politics: Cobweb model (multilateral engagement)
• Social constructivism: Alexander Wendt (development of specific culture of anarchy)

1. Hobbesian culture: Dominated states system until 17^th ‘war of all against all’ states are enemies, war is endemic.
2. Lockean Culture: After treaty of Westphalia, states recognize other states’ right to exist
3. Kantian culture: states view each other as friends, settle disputes peacefully, and support each other in the case of threat by a third party. It emerged among consolidated liberal democracies since 2^nd world war.

Concepts and keywords:

• Geopolitical turbulence, maximal interdependence, transactional partnerships, multi-alignment strategy, “weaponized interdependence, strategic autonomy, protectionist rhetoric, sovereign autonomy,

Important facts:

• IMF forecast India to become $5 trillion economy by 2028-29

important quotes or statements:

• “India has shown that the path forward is not to retreat from the world, but to engage with a clear vision that prioritises national interest without abandoning global responsibility”.

Brief analysis and key points from the news or editorial:

Challenges:

• Geopolitical turbulence, AI and tariff-driven economic uncertainty and climate urgency are all reshaping the global order.
• Era of maximal interdependence (weaponized interdependence) and minimal trust
• Cherished partnerships have turned transactional, strategic assumptions became conditional
• Economic ties are a new source of leverage and coercion.
• Geopolitical shock through tightening of supply chains ( China throttled the export of critical rare earth minerals in April 2025, threatening ‘green transition and EVs industry) and collapse of markets ( Trump imposed 50% tariffs on India’s exports impacting India’s labour intensive industries)
• Challenge of “Digital Iron-Curtain”, global giants dominate the World Wide Web.

India’s initiatives or steps taken:

• In 2025, India tested the resilience of its “multi-alignment” strategy, proving that a nation can indeed be a “friend to all” while remaining beholden to none.
• India deepened ties with the Global south while balancing relations with the USA, Russia and China.
• Visit of Putin to India was a bold assertion of sovereign autonomy.
• 15^th India-Japan Annual summit and the launch of the Africa-India key Maritime Engagement (AIKEYME) Naval exercise signalled India’s intent to lead as a “visha bandhu”.
• Positioned itself as the voice of Global South at COP 30 in Brazil, championing equitable climate action.
• India’s leadership in the International Solar alliance gained traction
• Redoubling negotiations for free trade agreements ( UK , New Zealand)
• Diversifying markets and extending support to exporters
• Fast-tracking the National critical Mineral Mission and deepening partnerships with the “Mineral Security Partnership” (MSP) alongside the US and Australia
• Demonstrated that strategic autonomy is synonymous with supply chain resilience.
• Building economy capable of withstanding external shocks (by enacting labour codes and SHANTI act for nuclear energy private investment)
• India has begun to pioneer a unique “tech-diplomacy” footprint, by exporting “India Stack” and linking the UPI payment network with partners (Nepal, UAE) offering a democratic and transparent alternative.
• India has realized that providing public goods to the world is the most effective way to build the trust that traditional geopolitics currently lacks.

Opportunities:

• India’s push into AI innovation hubs and digital public infrastructure offers a pathway to global leadership.

Way forward:

• The dexterous statecraft required to manage an era of turbulence

download the document: PSIR current affairs 2026 deepanalysis 26 (1)