Indian Diplomacy: Youth Dialogue on Geopolitics

Group discussion between Dr. Sreeram Chaulia and students of the Jindal School of International Affairs of O.P. Jindal Global University. Topics covered include the reasons for the return of fierce great power rivalries and conflicts around the world, the major global flashpoints and hotspots where wars and confrontations are happening, the possibilities for restoring peace and security in volatile regions, and the special and unique role and responsibility of India as a rising power to navigate the current era of geopolitical contestation

The resurgence of great power rivalry and the breakdown of the post-Cold War liberal order stem from shifting global power dynamics, particularly the relative decline of U.S. dominance and the assertive rise of powers like China and Russia, who reject Western-led norms. As global institutions struggle to adapt, balance-of-power politics and zero-sum competition are increasingly replacing cooperation. The Indo-Pacific is emerging as a major flashpoint, especially over Taiwan and South China Sea disputes, where unchecked militarization could escalate into open conflict. West Asia remains in turmoil due to deep-seated sectarian divides, external interventions, and weak state structures, with long-term stability hinging on inclusive governance and regional diplomacy. Meanwhile, the Russia-Ukraine war marks a turning point in European security, with growing uncertainty as the U.S. signals a strategic shift away from Europe. In the Global South, smaller nations face intensified geopolitical tug-of-war, but they can navigate or even benefit by maintaining strategic autonomy and leveraging multipolar engagement—as seen in India’s balancing act or African nations bargaining for better terms amid Chinese and Western investments

0:00 - Introduction
1:49 - The Return of Geopolitics: What Ended the Post-Cold War Peace?
8:34 - Why Global Cooperation Is Fading Amid Rising Power Tensions
15:35 - Flashpoints and Peace: The Indo-Pacific at a Crossroads
22:02 - Why West Asia Remains a Crisis Zone and How to Break the Cycle
29:46 - Is the Russia-West Conflict Eternal? The Future of Europe’s Security
37:38 - Global South Strategy in Surviving Great Power Rivalries



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