India and the Global South in the Emerging Multipolar World Order: From Non-Alignment to Strategic Autonomy

Abstract

The emergence of a multipolar world order has significantly transformed the dynamics of international politics, creating new opportunities and challenges for both established and emerging powers. Within this evolving geopolitical environment, India has increasingly positioned itself as a leading voice of the Global South while simultaneously pursuing a foreign policy framework based on strategic autonomy. This study examines the evolution of India's role in the Global South from the era of Non-Alignment during the Cold War to the contemporary doctrine of strategic autonomy in the twenty-first century. The paper argues that although the international context has changed substantially since independence, the fundamental objective of preserving policy independence and promoting a more equitable international order has remained central to Indian foreign policy. The research employs a qualitative and historical approach based on the analysis of scholarly literature, policy documents, and contemporary diplomatic initiatives. It explores the ideological foundations of non-Alignment, the transformation of India's external engagements after the Cold War, and the emergence of strategic autonomy as the guiding principle of contemporary diplomacy. The study further analyzes India's participation in institutions such as BRICS, the G20, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), and the Quad, highlighting how India balances relations with competing powers while maintaining independent decision-making. Particular attention is given to India's efforts to strengthen South–South cooperation through initiatives such as the Voice of Global South Summit and advocacy for reforms in global governance institutions. The findings suggest that strategic autonomy represents not a departure from non-Alignment but its adaptation to the realities of a multipolar international system. The paper concludes that India's growing influence within the Global South and its capacity to engage multiple centers of power position it as a significant actor in shaping a more inclusive and representative global order.