India amid Protectionism and Multilateralism

The conceptualization of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" (The world is one family) requires a foundation of transparent and meaningful global cooperation.

- Adhiraj

However, today, its path to realism is complex and challenging. As the multilateral order faces disruption and uncertainty becomes a persistent reality, India's foreign policy requires an action-oriented, inclusive, and comprehensive reevaluation. The rising trend of protectionism has accelerated geo-economic fragmentation, nationalism, and the weaponization of trade, prioritizing national interests over global cooperation. Recently, China intensified its clampdown on rare earth exports, prompting US President Donald Trump to threaten economic retaliation through a 100% tariff. Such developments highlight the sensitivity of supply chains, their dominance by limited players, and how dynamics unfold during disputes. Conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine war and the West Asia crisis have disrupted energy markets and supply chains, increasing India's trade vulnerabilities.