India must adopt a flexible, multi‑aligned approach to foreign policy and economic strategy as the global order undergoes a profound transformation, according to economist and Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council member Sanjeev Sanyal. Speaking in an interview with Firstpost, Sanyal argued that the world is entering a period of disruption where old geopolitical structures are weakening but no clear replacement has yet emerged.
“The old world order is clearly falling apart, and a new one has not yet emerged,” Sanyal said, stressing that India cannot afford a rigid or ideological approach to international affairs. Instead, he advocated what India has often described as multi‑alignment — working with different groups and countries depending on the issue at hand.
According to Sanyal, India should remain engaged with platforms such as the Quad, BRICS, the European Union, and the Global South, while preserving its strategic autonomy. In a fragmented world, he argued, flexibility will be one of India’s greatest strengths.
The comments come amid rising geopolitical tensions, including the Russia–Ukraine conflict, uncertainty surrounding US trade policy, concerns over energy prices, and growing technological competition linked to artificial intelligence. These developments have intensified challenges for economies worldwide, including India.
On the economic front, Sanyal described India’s recent 7.8% GDP growth as a strong performance, particularly against a difficult global backdrop. However, he cautioned that sustaining growth at around 7% over the medium term would itself be a significant achievement given the current international environment.
He noted that India must balance multiple pressures: volatile oil prices, geopolitical conflict, changing global trade patterns, and the implications of emerging technologies. While AI may disrupt some traditional jobs, Sanyal argued that India should focus on adapting and taking advantage of technological change rather than resisting it.
As global power balances shift and economic uncertainty persists, Sanyal’s message was clear: India’s success will depend on its ability to remain agile, pragmatic, and open to multiple partnerships rather than tying itself exclusively to any one geopolitical bloc.