Bharat re- assertion on the global stage is imperative in the rapidly changing geopolitical scenario as a leader of the global south and the chairhead of BRICS which has 2 global powers namely China & Russia playing a major role in the current West Asian imbroglio.
Bharat dithering foreign policy when it took almost a week for the government to sign on the condolence register at the Iranian embassy following the death of Iran’s Supreme leader Ayotullah Khamenei and that also by the foreign secretary.
Iran has traditionally enjoyed good relations with Iran and also invested large amounts in the developing of the Chabahar port.
However the US pressure made Bharat dither until it’s top leadership mustered enough strength to sign the condolence book.
This was preceded by the PM’S visit to Israel which was anything but ill timed as it came just 3 days prior to the killing of Khamenei.
This visit clouded Bharat’s image as a non aligned independent nation and made it appear to be leaning towards the west in the wake of arm twisting by Trump on tarrifs.
Furthermore it drew Bharat away from Russia & China who have emerged stronger from the ongoing war.
These two countries are also a part of the “BRICS” and Bharat being the chairhead did seemed to be at loggerheads with both China & Russia rather than being on the same page.
The consequences were their for all to see. Iran’s reaction summed it all as the diplomatic mission in New Delhi praised the kashmiri people for their show of solidarity with Iran without mentioning a word about the Indian government.
After diplomatic engagements a few oil tankers were allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz with Iran specifically mentioning that this was for the Indian people who had stood by Iran.
As far as the “BRICS ” goes Russia & China have emerged stronger during the west Asia conflict while India’s image as a leader of the global south and amongst BRICS nations has taken a beating.
US lifted the moratorium on Russian oil for one month but India is buying oil at a premium even from it’s closest ally and not at the earlier rates while China continues to get discounted oil from Russia & Iran.
The alternate power axis emerging during and after the middle east conflict has Bharat on the fringes.
To take on the US Israel hegemony you have the Russia China might along with Iran in the middle east to thwart any plans of a greater Israel. There are divisions within the EU & the NATO alliance regarding the US Israel strikes on Iran as their economies are under the pump.
The gulf nations have got a taste of what it means to align with the US as they were sitting ducks in the present conflict.
As Henry Kissinger said ” To be a friend of the US is dangerous but to be an enemy could be fatal.” History is replete with the US deserting it’s allies and so called friends at the drop of a hat and the EU & NATO are recent examples.
By hitting the US bases at will in the middle east Iran has dented America’s superpower status.
China & Russia have provided Iran with satellite imagery and technical support for it’s missiles & drones .
China has almost 6 months energy stockpile thanks to Iran & Russia while Bharat is left with 1 week reserves leaving it on the brink of an energy crisis and at the mercy of Iran & Russia.
With India out of the reckoning as a negotiating power Pakistan is trying to step in as a potential mediator between the US & Iran. Bharat’s diplomacy & foreign policy is under the scanner and it will be a herculean task to resurrect it in the current geopolitical scenario.
Trump’s recent tweet where he said that India’s foreign policy, economic policies & national security were aligned with that of the US is an infringement of Bharat’s sovereignty and needs to be rebuffed.
US has proven time and again that it is an opportunist global hegemonist with no friends and to align with such a power can only be detrimental to our interests.
