At a time when global governance is fraying and multilateralism teeters on the edge, the 2024 Raisina Dialogue, India’s flagship geopolitical forum, provided a rare and crucial window into the world’s evolving power dynamics. In an era marked by growing divisions between the Global North and South, as well as the East and West, India positioned itself as a balancing force – bridging gaps between conflicting blocs while showcasing its strategic autonomy.

The conference opened with a striking remark by Samir Saran, President of the Observer Research Foundation, who bluntly declared, “The creators of multilateralism have given up on multilateralism.” This statement encapsulated the global uncertainty pervading diplomatic circles, as the rules-based international order continues to unravel.

Co-hosted by India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the Raisina Dialogue reflected deep-seated anxieties over international disorder, even as India sought to play the role of a stabilizing force. The composition of attendees itself served as a litmus test for India’s diplomatic engagements. The United States sent a large delegation of foreign policy experts and business leaders, with US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard delivering a keynote address. The presence of a QUAD panel underscored India’s commitment to regional multilateralism in the Indo-Pacific, even as the concept faces disruption from an increasingly assertive China.

Strikingly absent was any representation from Bangladesh, particularly from the Muhammad Yunus-led faction, signaling a cooling of ties. However, the invitation of a Chinese professor from Fudan University hinted at a temporary thaw in Indo-Chinese relations. Meanwhile, India carefully maintained a diplomatic balance by inviting both Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga and Vyacheslav Nikonov, a prominent Russian politician and grandson of Vyacheslav Molotov.

The event also........

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