Bharat's Non-Alignment 2.0: A vision for Global Leadership

The Ukraine war has shown why this approach matters. The conflict is not just a fight between Russia and Ukraine; it has shaken the entire world. Food prices, fuel costs, and fertiliser shortages have hit poorer countries the hardest. For the Global South—nations in Asia, Africa, and Latin America—this war is less about geopolitics and more about survival

The world is deeply divided today. On one side are the United States and Europe, the self-proclaimed defenders of democracy, and on the other hand, Russia and China, who are pushing back against Western dominance.

In the midst of this storm stands Bharat, which has chosen not to join any camp. Instead, it is shaping a foreign policy of its own—built on strategic autonomy and the idea of a multipolar world. This standpoint is not a new story; during the Cold War, New Delhi was one of the founding members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). This doctrine helped newly independent countries avoid being pulled into the power struggle between America and the Soviet Union. Now, decades later, with new global tensions rising, Bharat seems to be reviving that doctrine in a modern form. Call it Non-Alignment 2.0.

The basic idea is simple: Bharat will not mindlessly follow anyone's lead. It will maintain the freedom to engage with all sides, protect its own interests, and advocate for the concerns of smaller and poorer nations.

Why Non-Alignment matters again

The Ukraine war has shown why this approach matters. The conflict is not just a fight between Russia and Ukraine; it has shaken the entire world. Food prices, fuel costs, and fertiliser shortages have hit poorer countries the hardest. For the Global South—nations in Asia, Africa, and Latin America—this war is less about geopolitics and more about survival.

Bharat has made it clear that it will not choose between Moscow and Washington. It buys discounted oil from Russia to keep energy affordable at home and around the world, while also advocating for sovereignty and peace in its support of Ukraine. This balance has led many countries to view Bharat as a credible, neutral voice—someone who can engage with both camps without being perceived as biased.

Modi's role on the global stage

Much of this shift is linked to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. In August 2024, he became the first Indian leader to visit Ukraine since the war began. Standing with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Modi said: “We are not neutral. We are on the side of peace.” That statement summed up Bharat's entire approach—neither pro-Western nor pro-Russian, but firmly in favour of peace.

Just last week, at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in China, Modi sat at the same table as Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. While he did not endorse Russia's invasion, his presence made it clear that Bharat will continue to engage with Moscow. At the same time, he raised sensitive issues like terrorism with Xi—showing that Bharat would not shy away from difficult conversations.

On 6 September, Modi held a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron. The two leaders discussed how to bring the Ukraine war to an early end. Here again, Bharat demonstrated its unique position on the international chessboard: it can communicate with Russia, Ukraine, and Europe—all at the same time.

What the world is saying

It is not just Bharat making these claims—other leaders are echoing them too.

Ukrainian view: President Zelenskyy has openly welcomed Bharat's role, while Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba even said, “India is a voice that matters to others, especially in the Global South.” He invited Bharat to openly support the Kyiv peace formula, saying that this would give the plan real weight.

Russia's view: Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov praised Bharat, along with Brazil, South Africa, and Egypt, for putting forward “fair and realistic" ideas for peace. Russia sees Bharat as a country that understands the deeper causes of the conflict.

Europe's view: France and Germany have both reached out to New Delhi, asking it to utilise its good relations with Moscow to facilitate peace talks. Germany's leaders even called India an "anchor of stability."

The Global South's view: Developing countries are pleased that Bharat is raising their concerns, such as food and fuel shortages. They see New Delhi as a spokesperson for those who do not want to pick sides in a new Cold War.

By talking about rising costs of food, fuel, and fertiliser, Bharat has linked the Ukraine crisis to the everyday struggles of the Global South. This neutral positioning is smart diplomacy. It turns a European war into a global issue, and it puts Bharat at the centre of the conversation. This international mediator role also strengthens Bharat's case for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. If it can represent the concerns of billions in the Global South, then it deserves a bigger role in shaping global rules.

What Non-Alignment 2.0 looks like

This new version of non-alignment is significantly different from past iterations. NAM was about staying out of superpower conflicts, while Modi's Non-Alignment 2.0 is about engaging with everyone—in Bharat's model of strategic autonomy.

Here's how it works:

In the Indo-Pacific, Bharat works closely with the US, Japan, and Australia to counter China's aggressive behaviour.

On Ukraine, Bharat refuses to join Western sanctions against Russia but still talks about sovereignty and peace. At the SCO, it shares a table with Russia and China but does not hesitate to raise its own security concerns.

At the UN, it pushes for the concerns of developing nations, not just the interests of the big powers.

This is not fence-sitting. It is active balancing. It allows Bharat to protect its own interests while also positioning itself as a global peace partner.

The road ahead

Looking ahead, Bharat could take on several new roles. It could be a bridge between the West and the Global South. Another role it has excelled in in recent years is as a sponsor of humanitarian corridors during natural calamities and in war zones, as it demonstrated in Afghanistan after last week's earthquake. It could lead to observer missions, such as monitoring peace agreements in places like Ukraine. New Delhi can continue to advocate for fairer trade, increased access to fuel, and climate action for developing nations.

Standing at the centre

The revival of Non-Alignment 2.0 is not about standing apart from the world. It is about standing at the centre—where Bharat can speak to everyone, protect its own interests, and advocate for those who are often overlooked.

In a divided world, this makes Bharat valuable. The US may not always agree with New Delhi, Russia may not always like it, and China may view it with suspicion. However, the fact remains that the world is increasingly conceding space to New Delhi as a credible and unbiased peace partner.

For ordinary people, this means Bharat is trying to build a world where no single power dictates terms, where every nation—big or small—has a voice, and where peace is not just a slogan but a practical goal. That is the promise of Non-Alignment 2.0.

(The author is Founder of My Startup TV)