The Hindu Editorial Analysis
22 October 2025
India’s travails in negotiating a friendless world
(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)
Topic : GS Paper II: International Relations
Context
The article argues that India’s foreign policy is currently facing a significant crisis of adaptation. It contends that India’s “rigidly dating” diplomatic approach, which was suited for the 1950s-1980s, is now failing to meet the demands of a new, complex global reality.
This failure, the author argues, has led to a tangible decline in India’s global political “stock,” resulting in a “friendless” or isolated position. India is increasingly being excluded from key international negotiations, and its credibility, even among allies, is diminishing.
The editorial serves as a “wake-up call,” urging India to shed its complacency, realistically assess its diminished standing, and strategically expand its influence to reclaim its position as a “lead player” in an emerging new world order.
1. The Core Problem: A “Friendless” and “Dating” Foreign Policy
a) India’s Diminished “Stock” The author asserts that at a political level, India’s “stock is deplorably low.” Its attempts to portray a “high table” image are failing, and its policies are seen as ambivalent and lacking cohesion. Even potential allies like the U.S. are perceived as treating India as a “sidekick” rather than an equal partner, highlighting a critical weakness in India’s current global standing.
b) The Failure to Adapt The central thesis is that India is “steeped in its traditions” and unable to demonstrate “seemingly friendless flexibility.” This rigidity and “dithering” mean India is failing to adapt to a world where old paradigms no longer apply, leading to serious consequences for its national interests and influence.
2. Evidence of India’s Diplomatic Isolation
a) Exclusion from the Middle East (Gaza) A prime example of India’s isolation is its complete exclusion from the “new Gaza peace settlement.” While the U.S., Turkey, Egypt, Qatar, and other regional players are actively involved in negotiations, India is “not even in the reckoning,” underscoring its lack of influence in a critical geopolitical theatre.
b) Marginalisation in Afghanistan India was “shut out” of the processes surrounding the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan. This exclusion has resulted in India having little to no leverage in a region vital to its national security. The author notes that this has led to a “stalemate,” with the Taliban “regaining the whip-hand.”
3. The China Challenge: A Long-Term Standoff
a) Not a “Mere Blip” The editorial strongly refutes the idea that the Sino-Indian border standoff (ongoing since 2020) is a “mere blip.” It is presented as a long-term, structural problem, with political ties at a “new low” and China showing no inclination to restore the status quo ante.
b) China’s “Cat and Mouse Game” The author highlights that China has been “tangling” with India since 2013. The relationship is described as a “cat and mouse game,” where China dictates the terms of engagement. The article suggests India’s response has been inadequate, failing to grasp the “true meaning” of China’s long-term strategy.
4. Complications in the Neighbourhood
a) The Need to “Woo Back” Neighbours India’s diplomatic challenges extend to its immediate neighbourhood. The editorial states that India must “woo back” countries like Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. This implies that relationships have soured, and India’s position as the default regional leader is no longer secure.
b) Strained Ties (e.g., Sri Lanka) The author points to the “myth-like” state of Indo-Sri Lanka relations as an example of this decline. India needs to make its partnerships “worthwhile” for its neighbours to counter the influence of other powers and rebuild trust.
5. The Way Forward: A “Wake-Up Call” for Indian Policy
a) Adopt a New “Filter” The primary recommendation is for India to heed this “wake-up call” and adopt a new “filter” for its foreign policy. This involves shedding its old “brand” of civilization and developing a more pragmatic, assertive, and flexible approach suited to the 21st century.
b) Expand Influence and Regain Role India must “expand its influence across much of the region and beyond,” using all available tools, including think tanks, research centres, and other diplomatic avenues. The goal is to “regain its position as a lead player.”
Conclusion
The editorial concludes that India’s foreign policy establishment is marked by “complacency” and a failure to adapt, leading to a dangerous state of global isolation. Its “dithering” and adherence to an outdated worldview have severely damaged its credibility and influence.
To reverse this, India must fundamentally reassess its diplomatic strategy, engage proactively with its neighbourhood, and assert its interests. The key challenge is for India to find its place and reclaim its role as a “lead player” in the “new, less China-led order” that is beginning to emerge.
“What India needs to be wary about is the ‘increasingly less China-led order’ that seems to be emerging, and to find its place in this new order.”