Mark Leonard's World in 30 Minutes India in a world of chaos
Mar 6, 2026
Raja Mohan, academic and foreign policy analyst known for expertise on Indian geopolitics, offers a candid take on India’s global stance. He discusses India balancing ties with the US, China and Russia. He explains deepening economic and security links with Europe and the idea of an Indo‑Mediterranean space. He outlines practical coalitions for regional stability and tech, defense, and trade realignments.
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Trump's First Term Rebuilt Asia's Balance Of Power
- Trump's first term accelerated a US strategic shift against China and elevated India in balance-of-power thinking.
- That period created strong India–US rapport and revived forums like the Quad and Indo‑Pacific constructs.
Trilateral Handshake Worked As Tactical Signaling
- Modi's public trilateral handshake with rivals was a tactical signal that India has alternatives when Washington is inattentive.
- Mohan says the image forced attention and briefly prompted debate about who 'lost' India.
India's Economy Is Anchored To The West
- India's economic orientation is firmly toward the West: ~ $200bn trade with US and another $200bn with Europe, while it runs large deficits with China and Russia.
- Mohan uses trade balances to show why India can't substitute Western markets with China/Russia.
