Q.The long-sustained image of India as a leader of the oppressed and marginalised nations has disappeared on account of its new found role in the emerging global order.’ Elaborate.

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Historical Role as a Leader of Oppressed Nations

• Narrative Control: For the first four decades post-independence, India led the narratives of developing nations through platforms like NAM and the G-77.
• Voice for the Unheard: India was at the forefront of creating global spaces for developing regions whose voices went unheard in international forums.
• Strategic Autonomy: During the Cold War, India maintained its strategic autonomy and charted its own course in a bipolar world, even while leaning toward the Soviet Union for security and developmental needs.

Shift in India's Approach in the Emerging Global Order

• Focus on Economic Development: Economic growth has become the primary driver of India's foreign policy as it transitions toward becoming a leading global power.
• Pragmatic Summitry: This shift was evident as early as the 2006 NAM Summit in Havana, where India focused on anti-terrorism, nuclear disarmament, and energy security—issues vital to its own growth rather than traditional marginalized-nation priorities.
• Dilution of Climate Stance: While India historically supported the Global South in climate negotiations by insisting on "common but differentiated responsibilities" (CBDR), it adopted a more flexible, compromise-oriented stance during the Paris Agreement negotiations.
• Regional Friction: India's neighborhood policy has occasionally caused friction. For instance, its perceived interference in Nepal's internal affairs and its policy of boycotting Pakistan within SAARC have impacted regional integration and delayed developmental projects in smaller neighboring states.
• Alignment with Major Powers: India's active involvement in the QUAD and its focus on Indo-Pacific security demonstrate a shift toward aligning with major democratic powers to counter China, prioritizing regional security over traditional NAM solidarity.