Copyright infringement not intended
Picture Courtesy: THEGUARDIAN
Context
The post-World War II rules-based international order is challenged by great-power rivalry, legal violations, and the ineffectiveness of global institutions.
|
Read all about: INDIA'S ROLE IN NEW GLOBAL ORDER l INDIA IN A FRAGMENTED MULTIPOLAR WORLD l TRUMP 2 AS GLOBAL ORDER DISRUPTOR l NEW WORLD ORDER |
The Rules-Based International Order (RBIO) refers to a shared commitment by sovereign states to conduct their activities according to a system of established laws, norms, and institutions.
Developed after World War II, it aims to prevent conflict, promote economic prosperity, and ensure predictable relations between nations.
Core Pillars
Multilateral Institutions: Central organizations include the United Nations (UN), which manages peace and security; the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank for economic stability; and the World Trade Organization (WTO) for global trade rules.
International Law: Key frameworks include the UN Charter (prohibiting the use of force), the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and UNCLOS (maritime law).
Liberal Values: It emphasizes liberal democracy, open markets, and human equality, which is why it is also termed as the "Liberal International Order".
Norms of Sovereignty: Mutual respect for state borders and the commitment to peacefully resolve disputes through dialogue, instead of resorting to force, are fundamental principles.
Unilateral Actions by Major Powers
Powerful nations are eroding the legitimacy of international law by prioritizing their self-interest, resulting in a dangerous "might is right" mentality that selectively applies the law and sets troubling precedents.
|
Country |
Action |
Violation of Global Rules |
|
Russia |
Full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. |
A direct breach of Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, which forbids the use of force against another state's sovereignty. |
|
China |
Ignoring international rulings and militarizing the South China Sea. |
Rejection of the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling, which invalidated its expansive territorial claims, undermining the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). |
|
United States |
Actions that sideline multilateral agreements and processes. |
In January 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the withdrawal from 66 international organizations. The unilateral action in Venezuela has been criticized by UN experts for violating principles of sovereign equality and non-intervention. |
Institutional Paralysis
WTO Dysfunction: The World Trade Organization's dispute resolution mechanism is effectively paralysed due to the US blocking judicial appointments since 2019, leading to a rise in protectionism and "tariff wars."
UNSC Deadlock: The veto power of the P5 members often renders the Security Council incapable of acting in major crises, causing nations to seek unilateral or minilateral solutions like the Quad or AUKUS.
WHO Credibility Crisis: The COVID-19 pandemic exposed flaws in global health governance, with perceptions of political bias weakening trust in multilateral health initiatives.
Intensifying Geopolitical Competition
The strategic rivalry between the U.S. and China has created deep divisions in the international community.
Countries are pressured to choose sides, which fragments global consensus and undermines multilateral cooperation on shared challenges like climate change and public health.
Weaponization of Interdependence
Economic Coercion: Interdependence, once seen as a buffer against war, is now being weaponized through sanctions, export controls, and technology bans (e.g., in the US-China chip war).
De-risking & Protectionism: Countries are moving away from globalized supply chains toward strategic autonomy to reduce vulnerabilities, further fragmenting the global economic order.
Normative Crisis & Disinformation
Selective Application of Rules: Powerful states are accused of applying international law selectively, insisting others follow rules they themselves bypass.
Information Warfare: State and non-state actors use disinformation to destabilize trust in international institutions, hampering collective efforts like global vaccination or climate action.
Outdated Power Structures
Misalignment with Reality: Existing institutions reflect the 1945 power distribution, failing to provide an equitable voice to emerging powers like India and Brazil, or the Global South.
Normalization of Unilateralism: Power is shifting from institutions to individual leaders who make decisions based on personal or nationalistic agendas rather than international consensus.
Weaponization of Trade: Tariffs and sanctions are used as geopolitical weapons. Supply chains are being restructured through "friendshoring" and "nearshoring", leading to higher costs for consumers.
Erosion of Trust: When powerful nations violate rules without consequence, it erodes the trust required for international cooperation.
UN Credibility Crisis: The UN Security Council is viewed as "worthless" or purely advisory, unable to act in major conflicts due to the paralyzing effect of the P5 veto power.
Vulnerability of Smaller Nations: Without a rule-based system, smaller states lose the protection of international law and are forced to adapt to the whims of stronger powers.
Escalating Humanitarian Crises: The failure of the international system to act decisively leads to prolonged conflicts, mass displacement, and severe human rights violations.
Global Health at Risk: The erosion of trust in the WHO and the rise of "vaccine nationalism" jeopardize long-term global health initiatives, such as polio eradication programs.
Amidst global uncertainty, India has adopted a pragmatic and proactive foreign policy, positioning itself as a constructive leader and a voice for reform.
Strategic Role: The "Vishwa Bandhu" (Global Friend)
India projects itself as a Vishwa Bandhu, a stabilizing force that prioritizes global solidarity and humanitarian assistance over traditional power politics.
Neutral Mediator: Leveraging its balanced ties with the US, Russia, and the Middle East, India is viewed as a credible mediator in major conflicts (e.g., Russia-Ukraine).
Stabilizing Power: India acts as a "natural stabilizing power" in South Asia and the Indian Ocean Region, ensuring maritime security and regional stability.
Leadership of the Global South
India has emerged as the strong "Voice of the Global South," advocating the interests of developing nations in forums like the G20.
Inclusion Advocate: A landmark achievement was ensuring the African Union's permanent membership in the G20 during India's 2023 presidency.
Norm Entrepreneur: Through the Responsible Nations Index, India is challenging Western-led narratives by focusing on ethical governance and accountability rather than just raw power.
Multi-Alignment Strategy
India avoids rigid alliances, instead utilizing flexible, issue-based coalitions to maximize its national interest.
Strategic Hedging: It engages with the West via the Quad and iCET for high-tech and defense, while simultaneously maintaining its role in BRICS+ and the SCO to engage with Eurasia.
Economic Leverage: As the world's fastest-growing major economy, India is a central pillar of the "China Plus One" strategy, attracting global supply chain diversification.
Global Public Goods & Innovation
Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI): India exports its digital expertise (like UPI and Aadhaar) as a model for inclusive growth in other developing nations.
Climate Leadership: Through initiatives like the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), India leads the push for climate equity and sustainable energy transition.
Vishwa Guru Vision: India uses its soft power—yoga, Ayurveda, and pluralistic democratic values—to exercise moral authority and promote global peace.
Strengthening Strategic Autonomy
Principled Pragmatism: Continue the "Jaishankar-Modi Doctrine" of multi-alignment—simultaneously engaging the US for tech, Russia for energy, and the Global South for moral leadership.
Avoidance of Bloc Politics: Maintain independent decision-making while participating in diverse groups like the Quad and BRICS+, ensuring national interests are not compromised by external alliances.
Economic & Trade Resilience
Strategic Trade Partnerships: Shift away from failing WTO mechanisms toward Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to secure high-value export markets.
"China Plus One" Leadership: Leverage global supply chain shifts to become a global manufacturing hub through initiatives like Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Technological & Digital Sovereignty
AI Sovereignty: Invest in indigenous innovation and computing resources to ensure Indian data and AI systems remain under national control.
DPI as Soft Power: Export the "India Stack" (UPI, Aadhaar) to developing nations, creating a digital non-aligned movement that offers a transparent alternative to opaque Western or Chinese digital systems.
Modernizing National Security
Technological Dominance: Shift defense spending from manpower-heavy structures to innovation-heavy capabilities, including AI-driven warfare, cybersecurity, and space systems.
Continental Deterrence: Maintain robust border deterrence against China while institutionalizing military-to-military dialogues to prevent accidental escalation.
Reforming Global Governance
Voice of the Global South: Act as a representative of developing nations, pushing for reformed multilateralism in the UNSC and WTO to reflect 21st-century realities.
Vishwa Bandhu Approach: Lead in non-traditional security areas like climate diplomacy (ISA) and global health (Vaccine Maitri) to build institutional goodwill.
Conclusion
Global instability stems from the collapse of the rules-based international order, driven by unilateralism. This crisis offers nations like India a chance to promote a more stable future by pushing for multilateral reform, maintaining strategic autonomy, and strengthening the Global South.
Source: THEGUARDIAN
|
PRACTICE QUESTION Q. "The global rules-based order is no longer a reliable framework but a battlefield for elite power dynamics." Critically analyze. 150 words |
It refers to the system of laws, norms, agreements, and institutions, like the United Nations and WTO, established after World War II to govern relations between states. Its cornerstone is the UN Charter, which aims to prevent conflict and promote cooperation.
The UNSC is often deadlocked because its five permanent members (P5) - China, France, Russia, the UK, and the US - can use their 'veto' power to block any resolution. This power is frequently used to protect national interests or allies, preventing collective action in major global crises like the wars in Syria and Ukraine.
India practices strategic autonomy by making foreign policy decisions based on its own national interests, without being bound by the dictates of any single major power or alliance. This is demonstrated by its active membership in diverse groups that include rival powers, such as the Quad (with the US, Japan, Australia) and the SCO/BRICS (with Russia, China).
© 2026 iasgyan. All right reserved