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EYE ON INDIA JUNE 05, 2026 | The Indian Eye 6

India expands diplomatic outreach

amid widening global crises

From Moscow to West Asia, New Delhi is pursuing a multi-pronged diplomatic strategy to safeguard

energy security, strengthen strategic partnerships and push for reforms in the global order

institutions created after the Second
OUR BUREAU
World War.
Moscow / New Delhi
s geopolitical tensions deepen “The United Nations is facing
across regions, India is increas- a very serious crisis,” he said.
Aingly relying on diplomacy on
multiple fronts to protect its strategic “The structured institutions of
and economic interests while posi- 1945 are increasingly proving
tioning itself as a voice for stability in
an increasingly fractured world order. to be incapable of addressing
National Security Advisor Ajit the security challenges that the
Doval’s engagements in Moscow this
week reflected that broader strategy. world is facing.”
Participating in the 1st International
Security Forum and the XIV Inter- Doval stressed that reforms of
national Meeting of High-Ranking international structures must ensure
Officials Responsible for Security broader representation of Global
Matters, Doval combined discussions South countries and fully consid-
on security cooperation, terrorism, er their interests and positions. The
energy flows, multilateral reform and emphasis on the Global South aligns
regional conflicts into a coordinated NSA Ajit Doval meets his counterpart Secretary of the Security Council of with India’s attempt to project itself
diplomatic message: India seeks en- the Russian Federation, Sergei Shoigu, on the sidelines of the first International Security as a leading voice for developing na-
gagement with all major powers while tions frustrated with the dominance
advocating dialogue over escalation. Forum, in Moscow on Thursday. (ANI Photo) of traditional global powers in deci-
One of the most significant as- sion-making institutions.
pects of Doval’s visit was his meeting over global oil supplies and maritime triggered fears of major disruptions in Counter-terrorism also remained
with Sergei Shoigu, Secretary of the security, directly affecting countries oil and gas supply chains. a prominent theme in Doval’s en-
Security Council of the Russian Fed- like India that remain heavily depen- For India, the stakes are particu- gagements. In Moscow, he asserted
eration. According to officials, the two dent on imported energy. larly high. Any prolonged disruption that there can be “no double stan-
sides reviewed “ongoing cooperation Addressing the Moscow forum, in energy flows through the Gulf re- dards in the fight against terrorism”
in defence, security, energy and eco- Doval called for “special attention” gion could increase import costs, fuel and said responsible states must de-
nomic ties” and also exchanged views to the situation in West Asia and inflation and affect economic growth. cide “whether to support sponsors
on the upcoming BRICS NSA meet- stressed the importance of keeping Doval’s remarks therefore reflected of terrorism or to counter them with
ing scheduled to be held in New Delhi. international trade routes open. not only diplomatic concern but also decisive actions.”
The discussions highlighted how “The ongoing tensions in the India’s pressing economic calculations. The remarks came in the backdrop
India continues to preserve deep stra- region continue to raise very serious At the same time, India has of the April 22 terror attack in Pahal-
tegic engagement with Russia even as concerns,” Doval said. “Risk to mari- carefully avoided inflammatory gam, Jammu and Kashmir, in which
global alignments shift rapidly. New time traffic and disruptions to energy rhetoric or direct alignment with 26 people were killed. The Resistance
Delhi has increasingly strengthened infrastructures show how fragile the any side in the conflict. Instead, Front, identified as a proxy of the Pa-
ties with Western nations in recent contemporary situation is.” Doval reiterated that “India stands kistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, had
years, especially in technology, de- He emphasised that “safe and ready to contribute constructive- claimed responsibility for the attack.
fence and trade, yet it has simulta- uninterrupted movement of interna- ly to support all efforts to reduce By linking terrorism, maritime
neously maintained longstanding tional trade through international wa- tensions and help restore stability.” security, institutional reform and geo-
cooperation with Moscow in defence terways, including the Strait of Hor- This approach reflects New political stability, India appears to be
and energy sectors. Doval’s Moscow muz and the Red Sea, is essential for Delhi’s growing preference for is- broadening the scope of its diplomatic
outreach underlined India’s attempt the global economy.” sue-based diplomacy — engaging si- engagement at a time when multiple
to maintain strategic autonomy rather The Strait of Hormuz has be- multaneously with competing powers crises are unfolding simultaneously.
than become tied to any one geopo- come the focal point of global anxiety while keeping channels of communica- For New Delhi, the message
litical bloc. following military escalation involving tion open across geopolitical divides. was clear: amid rising instability and
That balancing act has become the United States, Israel and Iran. India’s diplomatic messaging in sharpening rivalries, diplomacy across
particularly important amid the esca- Tehran’s moves to choke shipping Moscow also extended beyond re- all fronts remains central to India’s
lating crisis in West Asia. The conflict routes and reportedly introduce a gional security. Doval used the fo- strategy — whether through BRICS,
surrounding Iran, Israel and the Unit- tolling system for commercial vessels rum to renew India’s long-standing bilateral partnerships, multilateral re-
ed States has raised serious concerns passing through the waterway have demand for reform of international form or regional de-escalation efforts.

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