India in 2023: Challenges and Opportunities

 

2022 was indeed a turbulent year in the geopolitical history of various countries. According to a renowned Indian express columnist, Shubhajit Roy, 2022 can be compared with 1962( Indo-China war), 1979(Iranian revolution) and 2001( 9/11 attack).

2023 will be perhaps a year of possibilities and concerns for India. Maintaining Multilateral diplomacy and enabling consensus on various strategic dimensions in the upcoming G20 summit will be a tough challenge for India.

Here are some areas of challenges that will definitely intricate India's diplomatic adroit.

The Neighbourhood dilemma 

Countries like Maldives (sept) and Bangladesh( nov) are election ready for the upcoming year. This will unquestionably trigger the India Out campaign in the Maldives posing a direct threat to India's effort for maintaining its strategic power in the Indo-Pacific.

There is also a change in power calculations in Nepal as 'Prachanda' Pushpa Kamal Dahal was recently sworn in as Prime Minister of the country coming with leftist ideology and having proximity with China.

Pakistan will also have elections in Aug -Sept which will show the future of the Imran Khan led PTI.

India- China 

Recent Clashes in the Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh have clearly shown that dealing with China would not be an easy task. China which today sees itself as an emerging hegemonic power will definitely invite a conflict of interest between the West and India.

Russia

Although despite the weakening of the global credibility of Russia because of its endeavours in Ukraine it is still of primal importance to India. The Russian-Ukraine conflict in itself leads to increase in Russian proximity with China.

Delhi's interest would be to balance its interaction with the West as well as with Russia to keep its national interest on top and be pragmatic in its approach.

G20 Presidency and way forward

India which already proclaims itself as a voice of the Global South will get the stage through G20 Presidency to justify its claims.

Bringing the multilateral centre of Power on a single stage would be a tough task but if happens it will beyond any doubt a diplomatic win.