Multipolar World: Can India Lead Without Picking Sides?

Is America working? Is Trump working? Is the West losing its grip? And what role can a rising India play in a fractured world order and a fast-evolving multipolar world? While the Iran conflict may seem to have de-escalated, it exposed major geopolitical shifts that are still unfolding. Power is fragmenting, alliances are shifting, and a new global reality is taking shape. The post-Cold War world order is breaking apart — and India stands at a critical inflection point. This episode was recorded just before the Iran crisis, during the Bridge India – Ideas for India 2025 Conference, where early tremors of these changes were already visible. The conversation has only grown more relevant since. On India: A Story in the Making, we ask:  Can India remain non-aligned in a world of strategic rivalries?  How does it balance U.S.-China-Russia tensions?  Why has India not secured a permanent seat on the UN Security Council?  Can India act as a bridge for the Global South?  How effective has India’s non-alignment policy been in this shifting global order? From strategic autonomy and economic diplomacy to India’s potential global leadership, this episode offers timely insights for anyone tracking geopolitics and the global South’s future. Featured Guests: Giles Trendle Co-founder, The Green House Duo Former Managing Director, Al Jazeera English LinkedIn – Giles Trendle Kate Sullivan de Estrada Associate Professor, International Relations of South Asia, University of Oxford Oxford University Profile LinkedIn – Kate Sullivan de Estrada �� Watch the Full Episode on YouTube: India: A Story in the Making – YouTube Channel �� Listen to the Podcast: Smart Link – All Podcast Platforms Organised by: Bridge India A progressive non-profit think tank creating dialogue around policy, development, and India's global engagement. Website: bridgeindia.org.uk Facebook: Bridge India Facebook Twitter/X: @BridgeIndiaOrg Instagram: @bridgeindiaorg LinkedIn: Bridge India – LinkedIn Host: Loveena Tandon Journalist | Documentary Filmmaker | Podcaster LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/loveenatandon Twitter/X: @loveenatandon Instagram: – @tandonloveena – @indiastoryabroad TikTok: @loveenatandon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices