“The long sustained image of India as a leader of the oppressed and marginalised nations has disappeared on account of its new found role in the emerging global order.” Elaborate (Answer in 250 words)

Post-independence India projected solidarity with colonised and developing countries through anti-imperialism, non-alignment and South–South cooperation.

Earlier leadership

• India supported decolonisation, racial equality and peaceful coexistence.
• It helped build the Non-Aligned Movement, G77 and demands for a fairer economic order.
• Development cooperation and diplomatic advocacy gave voice to weaker nations.

New orientation

• Liberalisation and strategic competition have increased focus on trade, technology, energy and national growth.
• India now engages simultaneously with the US, Russia, Israel, Gulf states and China, privileging issue-based strategic autonomy.
• It seeks a larger role in global governance, supply chains, maritime security and counter-terrorism.

Continuity and tension

This is not complete abandonment: India remains active in the International Solar Alliance, disaster relief, vaccine and development partnerships, and advocates reform of global institutions. Yet arms imports, selective positions and commercial interests can appear inconsistent with older solidarity.

Conclusion

India has moved from rhetorical leadership to interest-based coalition-building; the challenge is to reconcile great-power aspirations with credible Global South responsibility.

Global influence need not require abandoning solidarity. India can pursue domestic prosperity while offering affordable technology, disaster assistance, development finance and principled diplomacy to countries that remain structurally vulnerable in the international system.

Credibility will depend on consistency: principles of sovereignty, non-intervention and peaceful cooperation should guide relations even when commercial or strategic incentives encourage selective advocacy.

Global South; Non-Aligned Movement; strategic autonomy; South-South cooperation