India’s Role in Global Governance

Abstract

India’s role in global governance has evolved significantly since independence, moving from a cautious post-colonial state to an emerging power with increasing global responsibilities. This paper examines India’s engagement in multilateral institutions such as the United Nations (UN), G20, BRICS, and IBSA, its contributions to global norm-setting in climate change, trade, and peacekeeping, and the strategic frameworks guiding its foreign policy. India faces challenges including institutional underrepresentation, resource constraints, and geopolitical tensions, but its democratic legitimacy, coalition-building capacity, and soft power enhance its influence. Using the lens of middle-power diplomacy and normative internationalism, this paper argues that India is increasingly a stakeholder and shareholder in global governance, with potential to shape a more inclusive and equitable international order (Narlikar, 2017, p. 95; Pant, 2022, p. 12).

Keywords- India, Global Governance, Multilateralism, United Nations (UN), G20, BRICS, IBSA, Middle-Power Diplomacy, Peacekeeping, Climate Change Governance, Trade Negotiations, Strategic Autonomy, Soft Power, South-South Cooperation, Institutional Reform