Friends with benefits
Most countries today prefer keeping options open rather than locking in ties. That may help stave off WWIII
Modi's visit to Cyprus – the first by an Indian PM in 23 years – is being read as a deft signal to Türkiye following the latter's support to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. New Delhi was clearly not happy with Ankara taking Islamabad's side. Cyprus, which has a history with Türkiye given the latter's invasion of the country in 1974 and effective partitioning of northern Cyprus, strongly supports India's position. So this appears to be a classic case of 'my enemy's enemy is my friend'. Except that ties between India and Türkiye aren't totally belligerent, and routine relations continue on several fronts.
In a similar vein, in the latest round of Iran-Israel conflict several countries, including India, aren't taking a clear side. They would ideally like to preserve ties with both parties. The same can be said of the Ukraine-Russia war with many countries looking to have balanced relations with both Kyiv and Moscow after the hostilities end. The 21st century foreign policy dictum, therefore, is more closely aligned with the saying 'there are no permanent friends and enemies in geopolitics'. Be it US's approach to Afghanistan after the return of Taliban, Vietnam's ties with US today that have buried the acrimony of the Vietnam War, or the improving ties between South Korea & Japan, there's a sense that our increasingly interconnected world provides opportunities that can overcome differences.
Does this approach make the world safer? Well, going by the number of conflicts currently raging or threatening to break out (from Ukraine to Taiwan) it may appear not. However, giving primacy to geopolitical flexibility puts a check on Cold War-type bloc scenarios from taking hold and furthers the case of multipolarity. That in turn could at least help stave off World War III, if not prevent regional conflicts. Hence, India's multialignment strategy appears to be surfing the right wave.
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This piece appeared as an editorial opinion in the print edition of The Times of India.
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