The familiar world order will not return. What India and EU can build

Indian Express

Core Idea of the Article

The article argues that the pre-existing liberal, rules-based global order is irreversibly disrupted, and that India and the European Union must collaboratively shape a new multipolar, resilient, and technology-driven order rather than attempting to restore the old one. It positions India–EU cooperation as a constructive response to geopolitical fragmentation, economic decoupling, and strategic uncertainty.

Key Arguments Advanced

1. Irreversibility of global disorder
The author asserts that geopolitical turbulence—driven by great power rivalry, war, economic coercion, and weakened multilateralism—marks a structural break, not a temporary deviation.

2. Strategic convergence between India and the EU
India’s push for strategic autonomy and Europe’s reassessment of dependence on external powers are portrayed as converging trajectories.

3. EU–India partnership as a stabilising force
The relationship is framed as capable of contributing to global stability through trade diversification, technology collaboration, and institutional rebuilding.

4. Centrality of the India–EU FTA
The Free Trade Agreement is presented as a cornerstone for deeper economic integration, supply chain resilience, and industrial cooperation.

5. Technology as the new axis of power
Emerging domains such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, cyberspace, and digital public infrastructure are identified as key areas for co-development and norm-setting.

6. Multipolarity anchored in cooperation, not blocs
The article rejects rigid alliance politics, instead advocating flexible, issue-based coalitions grounded in shared interests.

Author’s Stance

The stance is strategic, normative, and cautiously optimistic.

• Accepts decline of the old order as a fact
• Rejects nostalgia for Cold War–style stability
• Advocates proactive institutional and technological rebuilding
• Positions India and the EU as “co-architects”, not rule-takers

The author clearly believes agency still exists, even amid global disorder.

Editorial Biases and Assumptions

Structural optimism bias
Assumes that cooperation between middle and major powers can meaningfully offset great-power rivalry.

Institutional faith bias
Places strong faith in trade agreements, dialogue mechanisms, and technology partnerships despite historical underperformance.

EU coherence assumption
Underestimates internal political, economic, and strategic divisions within the European Union.

Normative framing bias
Frames India–EU cooperation as morally and strategically superior without fully engaging with competing models.

Strengths of the Article

• Correctly diagnoses the end of a unipolar or predictable order
• Links geopolitics with technology and economics
• Avoids binary US–China framing
• Emphasises agency over victimhood
• Integrates Global South concerns into strategic thinking

Weaknesses and Omissions

• Limited discussion on enforcement capacity of new norms
• Underplays domestic political constraints in India and Europe
• Vague on timelines and operational mechanisms
• Overstates FTA impact without addressing protectionist pressures

Policy Implications

Foreign Policy
India must move from balancing to order-shaping diplomacy, especially with like-minded but autonomous partners.

Trade and Economy
India–EU economic integration should prioritise resilience, not just market access.

Technology Governance
Joint norm-setting in AI, digital infrastructure, and cyber governance becomes a strategic necessity.

Security Cooperation
Beyond rhetoric, India–EU cooperation must mature in defence production, maritime security, and counter-terrorism.

Real-World Impact

Short Term
• Enhanced diplomatic signalling
• Renewed momentum in trade and technology dialogues

Medium Term
• Supply chain diversification away from concentrated dependencies
• Incremental convergence on technology standards

Long Term
• Contribution to a rules-light but norms-based multipolar order
• Reduced vulnerability to coercive geopolitics

UPSC GS Paper Alignment

GS Paper II – International Relations
• Multipolar world
• Strategic autonomy
• India–EU relations
• Global governance reform

GS Paper III – Economy & Technology
• Trade agreements
• Global value chains
• Emerging technologies
• Economic security

Essay Paper
• “The decline of the old world order and the search for new anchors”
• “Technology as the new currency of power”

Balanced Editorial Assessment

The article is analytically sound and strategically relevant, especially for understanding post-liberal global politics. Its central claim—that the old order is irretrievable—is convincing. However, its confidence in institutional solutions slightly exceeds real-world political capacity.

Future Perspective

If India and the EU translate intent into execution:
• They can help stabilise global norms without domination
• They can shape technology governance inclusively

If they fail to act decisively:
• Fragmentation will harden into rival blocs
• Strategic autonomy may degenerate into strategic isolation

Final Judgment:
The familiar world order may not return—but whether a better one emerges depends less on diagnosis and more on delivery.