He began by outlining how the international order built after the Second World War is slowly falling apart. Institutions and rules that once shaped global cooperation are no longer being followed, even by the countries that created them. While this breakdown brings uncertainty, it also opens up space for countries like India to step forward. India has managed to grow within this old system, becoming the world’s fifth largest economy, but it still faces limits in shaping international decisions.
Tirumurti pointed to India’s long-standing strategy of staying independent in global politics, from its Cold War-era policy of non-alignment to today’s multi-alignment approach. He said this has helped India maintain flexibility and build strong ties with many nations. However, he stressed that in today’s climate this cautious approach may not be enough. As global tensions grow, India must be ready to act and not just observe.
He raised India’s handling of the Ukraine war as an example. While many Western countries pushed for clear positions, India chose to abstain from UN votes on the issue. Tirumurti said this decision allowed India to maintain relationships on both sides and even influence other developing countries to follow a similar path. Still, he believes that India can and should go further by taking on more responsibility in shaping outcomes.
Turning to India’s neighbours, he noted the challenges in South Asia. Countries like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan and the Maldives have faced political instability, economic hardship and leadership changes. Tirumurti said these are not problems India can control, but it must remain engaged. He mentioned how ties with Sri Lanka have improved, even with leaders who were once seen as unfriendly towards India. He described these ups and downs as natural and said India must respond with patience and consistency.
Highlighting India’s relationships with major global powers like the USA and Russia, he pointed to these being complex yet extremely necessary. He warned that if the USA and China ever come to an understanding that divides regions into spheres of influence, India could face new pressures.
India is a member of several key international groupings like the Group of 20 countries (G20), BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), the QSD (quad nations is a grouping of Australia, India, Japan, and the United states of the America) and the (SCO) Shanghai Cooperation Organisation is a Eurosian political, economic, international security and defence organization established by China. But Tirumurti said it’s not enough to simply be a participant. India must take the lead in shaping conversations and driving action. He pointed out that India’s involvement in some forums has been uneven, and there’s room to do more.
Throughout his talk, the message was clear: India has grown in strength and influence, but the world is changing fast. To keep pace and protect its interests, India must be willing to play a more active role not only in economics but also in diplomacy and global governance.
