India’s Role in Global Governance: From Normative Power to Strategic Leadership

Abstract

India’s role in global governance has undergone a significant transformation from being primarily a normative power to emerging as a strategic leader in the contemporary international system. In the post-independence period, India’s foreign policy was deeply rooted in moral principles such as non-alignment, peaceful coexistence, anti-colonialism, and support for multilateralism. These values positioned India as a voice of the Global South and a proponent of equitable global order. However, the changing dynamics of global politics, economic liberalization, and the rise of new security and development challenges have led India to adopt a more pragmatic and strategic approach.

In recent decades, India has actively engaged in global governance institutions such as the United Nations, G20, BRICS, and WTO, advocating reforms to make them more inclusive and representative. India’s leadership in climate diplomacy, digital governance, global health, and sustainable development highlights its evolving strategic orientation. Initiatives such as “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” International Solar Alliance, and its proactive role during global crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, reflect a blend of normative values with strategic interests.

Thus, India’s transition signifies not a departure from its foundational ideals but their recalibration in alignment with national interests and global responsibilities. As a rising power, India is increasingly shaping global norms while also pursuing strategic autonomy, thereby redefining its role as a key actor in global governance.

Keywords: Global Governance, Normative Power, Strategic Leadership, India’s Foreign Policy, Multilateralism, Global South, Strategic Autonomy, International Institutions