Author: Alberto Cossu – 30/07/2025
“The New World: 21st-Century Global Order and India”: A Pragmatic India in an Era of Global Transition
Alberto Cossu – Vision & Global trends. International Institute fro Global Analyses
Ram Madhav, a prominent figure in the Indian political and intellectual landscape, presents a penetrating examination of 21st-century geopolitical dynamics in “The New World: 21st-Century Global Order and India” while also offering an ambitious vision for India. The text is situated at a crucial juncture, that of a profound transition in the global order, a period Madhav interprets not just as a challenge but as an unprecedented opportunity for the Indian nation to assert its role as a leading player. His central thesis revolves around the conviction that the post-war liberal order, dominated by the West, is exhausting itself, giving way to a multipolar world in which emerging powers, guided by a pragmatic and self-interested vision, will play an increasingly decisive role.
Madhav doesn’t merely describe the end of an era; he analyzes its causes and manifestations. The growing ineffectiveness of traditional multilateral institutions, like the United Nations, and the perceived decline of Western hegemony are presented as symptoms of a system that can no longer contain the new forces at play. In this context, the rise of China is, of course, a central theme, recognized as a revisionist power challenging the status quo, but Madhav extends his analysis to include the emergence of other “middle powers” that are, collectively, redrawing the map of world power. The author urges India to overcome what he calls a “romantic naivete” of the past in its foreign policy, suggesting that a more realistic approach, focused on maximizing national interests, is imperative.
India’s Deep-Rooted Heritage and “Smart Power”
One of the cornerstones of Madhav’s thought is his constant reference to India’s deep-rooted civilization heritage. This isn’t just historical nostalgia but an attempt to anchor India’s future foreign policy to a distinctive and millennial identity. Madhav draws upon concepts from classical Indian political philosophy, such as “Rajdharma” (the ethical conduct of a ruler) and Kautilya’s “Mandala Theory” (a strategic model of concentric circles of allies and adversaries), to propose an authentically Indian framework for its global action. Ram Madhav writes that the spirit of India lives more in religion than in science. This is not an invitation to reject modernity, but to ensure that ethics and values are never separated from innovation and governance. Madhav also draws inspiration from the wisdom of Mahatma Gandhi, who once declared: ‘I would prefer to live with religion, for it is an integral part of my being.’ In a world hurtling towards hyper-modernity, these appeals to India’s ethical heart are more urgent than ever.
This approach suggests that India shouldn’t simply emulate Western models but rather draw upon its own historical wisdom to forge a unique path. The idea is for an India that, while engaging with the modern world, remains firmly rooted in its values, offering an alternative model of governance, which he calls “Dharmacracy,” based on ethical principles rather than mere bureaucratic procedures. Madhav introduces the concept of Dharmacracy, which is not mere democracy in a procedural sense, but a higher form of governance rooted in dharma, the righteous path. The author observes: ‘Follow dharma and, even if you retreat for a while, you will ultimately prevail.’ This conviction, rooted in the philosophy of Indian culture, is what distinguishes the book from contemporary strategic literature. In conclusion, for Ram Madhav, the future world order must be based on values. This, he asserts, is the essence of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, the eternal Indian belief that the world is one family. That is the inspirational idea of the 2023 G20
This strong emphasis on its cultural heritage aligns with the necessity, according to Madhav, of shifting from a reliance on “soft power” to a more robust adoption of “smart power.” India has traditionally leveraged its culture, spirituality, and diaspora to exert influence. Madhav acknowledges the value of these elements but argues that, in the new world order, they must be accompanied by substantial economic, military, and technological strength. The book emphasizes the urgent need for accelerated economic growth, massive investment in research and development, and a leap forward in emerging technologies—artificial intelligence, robotics, quantum computing—as fundamental pillars for elevating India’s status as a global power. The aim is to build a strong and recognizable “Brand Bharat,” projecting not only an image of culture but also of capability and innovation.
Challenges and Criticisms of an Ambitious Vision
While Madhav’s vision is undoubtedly ambitious and stimulating, it’s not without its criticisms and potential points of friction. One of the main observations concerns the gap between aspiration and concrete action. The book, while outlining a clear direction for India, at times seems to prioritize grand vision rhetoric over detailed policy frameworks or specific implementation plans. The transition from “aspiration” to “action” requires a complex roadmap that the book doesn’t explore in depth. It is likely a choise of the author to duelve the topic in another occassion. For example, while there’s talk of the need to improve neighborhood relations based on “shared cultural bonds,” the geopolitical reality of the Indian subcontinent is fraught with concrete challenges—territorial disputes, political differences, and external interferences—that often outweigh cultural ties. A more thorough analysis of how to overcome these frictions, beyond an appeal to cultural unity, would have been valuable.
Furthermore, Madhav’s reading of Indian history, particularly regarding the decline during the Mughal era, aligns closely with Hindu nationalist interpretations. While this perspective is crucial for understanding his vision of a strong and resurgent India, it may not be universally accepted and could be perceived as a selective re-writing of history by some scholars or commentators. This historical interpretation informs the emphasis on reasserting an “authentic” Indian identity, which, for some critics, risks marginalizing the complexities and diverse narratives within Indian society.
Another consideration relates to the practical challenge of translating the concept of “Dharmacracy” into a governance model applicable in a globalized and interconnected world. While the idea of ethical governance is commendable, its implementation in a modern state system, with its bureaucratic complexities and geopolitical pressures, raises questions. The book, while providing a robust argument for why India should be a great power, partly leaves it to the reader to imagine how it can overcome internal and external obstacles, such as socio-economic inequalities, internal tensions, and governance challenges, that might hinder its ascent.
Conclusion
“The New World: 21st-Century Global Order and India” is an essential contribution to contemporary strategic debate. Its value lies in Madhav’s ability to articulate an audacious and coherent vision for India in an era of global uncertainty. The book serves as a catalyst for reflection, urging readers to consider not only India’s current position but also its untapped potential. Madhav’s perspective is particularly significant because it reflects the thinking of an influential part of the Indian political establishment, offering valuable insights into how one of the world’s most populous and rapidly growing nations intends to position itself in a multipolar future.
Ultimately, Madhav invites India to move beyond a reactive approach to foreign policy and embrace a proactive role, actively shaping the emerging order rather than merely adapting to it. “The New World” is a must-read for academics, policymakers, and anyone interested in the dynamics of global power and, particularly, India’s growing weight on the international stage. His message is clear: India is ready and must be prepared to reclaim its rightful place in a constantly reconfiguring world.
Ram Madhav is an Indian politician, social leader, author and thinker. Dr Madhav is the President of India Foundation (IF), a New Delhi-based Think tank. In over a decade of India Foundation’s existence, Dr Madhav has been the curator of major annual global and national multilateral initiatives like the Indian Ocean Conference, the Dharma-Dhamma Conference, ASEAN-India Youth Summit and Counter Terrorism Conference involving heads of nations and leaders of governments besides academics, scholars and public spirited individuals. Most recently, Dr Madhav has been instrumental in ideating the Religion-20 Forum (R20) as part of the G20.
Previously, Dr Madhav has served as the National General Secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during 2014-20 responsible for handling the political affairs of Jammu & Kashmir, Assam and other North-Eastern states of India.
A renowned author and thinker, Dr Madhav has authored several books in English and Telugu that include “The Indian Reality” ; “Partitioned Freedom”; “The Hindutva Paradigm – Integral Humanism and the Quest for a Non-Western Worldview” ; “Because India Comes First: Reflections on Nationalism, Identity and Culture” and “Uneasy Neighbours: India and China after 50 years of the war”. He is a regular contributor to platforms like The Indian Express, The Hindustan Times and OPEN Magazine amongst others. He had been the editor of Bharatiya Pragna, a monthly magazine in English published by Pragna Bharati, and associate editor of Jagriti, a Telugu weekly.
Widely regarded for his contributions in the field of strategic thinking, political philosophy and India’s foreign policy, Dr Madhav has travelled widely and addressed forums like the Valdai Discussion Club in Russia, R20 Forum in Indonesia, Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Halifax Security Forum in Canada, Sochi Eurasian Integration Forum in Russia, BRICS Political Forum in China, and the World Peace Conference in Thailand.