05 April 2025 : Indian Express Editorial Analysis

1. The era of region

(Source – Indian Express, Section – The Ideas Page – Page No. – 11)

The Decline of Globalism and Rise of Regionalism

• The article opens with a stark assertion: globalism is on the wane, and regionalism and minilateralism are taking its place. 
• The United Nations and similar global institutions are increasingly seen as ineffective, prompting countries to shift their focus toward more localized forms of cooperation. 
• The notion that geopolitics is inherently regional is gaining traction, marking a return to historical patterns where true political maneuvering happened within regional clusters, despite lofty globalist rhetoric.

The Unfulfilled Dreams of Global Governance

• The idea of globalism has deep roots, beginning with Woodrow Wilson’s 14-point agenda in 1918 and the creation of the League of Nations. 
• However, this early effort at global governance faltered quickly as the U.S. retreated into isolationism. 
• Later, the Atlantic Charter between Churchill and Roosevelt revived hopes, leading to the formation of post-WWII multilateral institutions like the UN. 
• Yet, even these bodies proved unable to foster true global unity, revealing the limitations of idealistic globalism.

Power Politics Behind the Facade of Globalism

• While multilateral institutions projected an image of global cooperation in the 20th century, real geopolitics continued to be shaped by power blocs and military alliances. 
• The Cold War exemplified this, with the Warsaw Pact, NATO, and China’s regional muscle-flexing all asserting regional dominance. 
• This highlights the duplicity of great powers, who publicly championed globalism while aggressively securing regional influence behind the scenes.

India’s Romanticism vs. Realpolitik

• India’s post-independence foreign policy, particularly under Nehru, is critiqued as overly idealistic. 
• Although initially displaying pragmatism by organizing regional meetings, Nehru later became entranced by the concept of Non-Alignment and Third World solidarity. 
• This idealism, the article argues, led to India missing the boat on regional integration, which has proven more enduring and practical than globalist aspirations.

Successful Regional Models: EU and ASEAN

• Unlike India, other regions pursued practical regional alliances with lasting success. 
• The European Economic Community and its evolution into the European Union demonstrate how regionalism can flourish with political will. 
• Similarly, ASEAN has matured into a robust coalition of Southeast Asian nations. These examples underscore how focused regional efforts have yielded tangible geopolitical and economic benefits.

South Asia’s Lag in Regional Integration

• South Asia stands out as the most under-integrated region despite its cultural and geographic contiguity. Attempts like SAARC and BIMSTEC have failed to gain momentum. 
• SAARC has been hampered by Indo-Pak tensions, while BIMSTEC suffers from lack of attention and commitment. 
• Other initiatives like IORA also remain dormant due to inadequate follow-through. 
• The article places some responsibility on India for not demonstrating enough leadership or urgency in promoting regionalism.

Modi’s Renewed Push for Regional Leadership

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent diplomatic moves signal a renewed push toward regionalism. 
• His advocacy for the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and the revival of interest in BIMSTEC, especially through participation in high-level summits, are steps in the right direction. 
• Modi’s framing of the IOR within the Indo-Pacific strategic discourse also suggests a recalibration of India’s geopolitical priorities, emphasizing inclusivity and cooperation.

Challenges and the Road Ahead for BIMSTEC and IOR

• Despite the potential of BIMSTEC and IORA, these platforms face serious hurdles — from poor branding and lack of summits to resource and manpower shortages. 
• Still, the article ends on an optimistic note. It argues that strong, visionary leadership particularly from India can overcome these obstacles. 
• With willing partners in the region and growing disillusionment with globalism, the stage is set for a new era of regional integration centered around the Indian Ocean.

Conclusion: 

• The article makes a compelling case for India and its neighbors to shift from romantic globalist dreams to pragmatic regionalism. 
• As global institutions falter, it is regional cooperation driven by vision, resolve, and shared interests that offers the most promising path forward. 
• For India, reclaiming its regional leadership role is both a strategic necessity and a historical opportunity.

Read more – 04 April 2025 : Indian Express Editorial Analysis