Mask Discarded: The End of Global Political Ideals: The curtain has truly fallen on the notion of morality as a driving force in international relations. If political actors ever wore the cloak of ethical idealism, recent events have ripped it away, exposing a raw, unapologetic landscape of transactional realpolitik.

The governing principle today isn’t what’s right, but what’s expedient, immediate, and beneficial to self-interest. The fluid global situation has rendered old loyalties brittle and cemented the ancient adage: “An enemy’s enemy is a friend.”

India’s Early Idealism

This shift is a stark contrast to the first few decades of post-colonial India. Back then, New Delhi’s active role in movements like the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) granted it a genuine moral and political voice. India championed the Palestinian cause with a real fervor, forging a deep bonhomie with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) under Yasser Arafat, standing against what it saw as imperial overreach. It was a time of clear ideological lines.

Today, that has been replaced by a chaotic, multi-polar world where alliances are fleeting and conditional. The snippets from the international arena over the past ten days give us a perfectly clear picture of this new reality.

India’s Diplomatic U-Turn

The Afghanistan-India-Pakistan Triangle: The recent official visit of the Afghan Foreign Minister to New Delhi perfectly illustrates India’s pragmatic U-turn. For years, New Delhi maintained a firm non-recognition policy toward the Taliban. Yet, regional geopolitical realignment, driven by the need to counter the influence of its arch-rival, has necessitated a thaw. This embrace of pragmatism, though, came with immediate diplomatic friction.

Clash Over Press Freedom

The controversy over excluding female journalists from the Minister’s initial press briefing in Delhi sparked widespread condemnation. While the Afghan side quickly blamed a “technical issue,” the incident highlighted the uncomfortable ideological compromises New Delhi has to stomach when pursuing its national interest. It was a visible reminder of the clash between a pluralistic democracy and an unrecognised, repressive regime.

Pakistan’s Failed Strategic Depth

Adding to this complex diplomatic dance was the Afghan Minister’s subsequent statement rattling Pakistan from Indian soil, concerning the ongoing tussle on the border (New Global Political Ideals). This aggressive rhetoric, facilitated by India, is a potent symbol of Pakistan’s completely failed ‘strategic depth’ doctrine. The dream of a pliant Kabul regime acting as a depth buffer has been lost to oblivion, at least, as of now.

Instead, Pakistan now faces a hot and active western border once touted as strategic depth. Attacks and intense fighting with its former proxy, exposing the fragility of its western border. For India, the enemy of its enemy (the Taliban regime battling Pakistan) is, for the moment, a useful friend, validating a policy of pragmatic engagement over ideological purity.

Haryana IPS Officer Cremated, Chandigarh Police Faces Test of Credibility Again

IPS: Marked by the Shadow of Birth – commission to compassion

Israel-Hamas Brokered Pact

The Middle East Deal and India’s Calculated Ambiguity: Further evidence of purely transactional global dealings comes from the Middle East. The recent Israel-Hamas brokered pact, largely orchestrated by the US, is a landmark agreement. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi publicly welcomed the deal and praised US President Donald Trump’s leadership, a very different signal was sent regarding India’s attendance at the official pact signing summit.

The government’s decision to send a Minister of State instead of the Prime Minister to the high-level meeting, co-chaired by the US President, is the subject of intense speculation. This seemingly demure move, particularly given India’s usual hunger for high-visibility international forums, suggests a deep-seated diplomatic calculation.

A Subtle Pressure Tactic

One reading is that this is a subtle way to put on a bit of pressure concerning ongoing trade talks. Despite all the public praise for Trump, that bonhomie isn’t translating into a concrete resolution on sticky economic issues. A key sticking point is the unresolved trade impasse, particularly India’s energy purchases from countries the US objects to and the lifting of tariffs. The PM’s absence could be a deliberate tactic to exert low-level leverage.

Avoiding Public Embarrassment

Alternatively, the avoidance of a direct public, bilateral interface with President Trump could stem from a desire to sidestep potential embarrassment or being cornered. Trump has a history of making unpredictable, unilateral statements in public forums—for instance, claiming to have brokered a truce between India and Pakistan which would force the Indian side into an awkward clarification. In an era where carefully choreographed optics dictate so much of diplomacy, India’s move to delegate suggests a calculated demurral to retain maximum diplomatic room to manoeuvre.

The Irony of Opportunism

And let’s not gloss over the final irony here India’s pivot from its old PLO alliance to cozying up with Israel reeks of the same opportunism it’s now practicing elsewhere. What started as delayed recognition of Israel until 1992 has ballooned into a full-blown partnership, with billions in defense deals and tech collaborations under Modi. It’s a far cry from the days when India stood firmly with Palestine.

We shouldn’t forget the reports of Israel itself playing both sides during India’s messy involvement in Sri Lanka’s civil war back in the ’80s and ’90s. There were whispers and some outright accounts of Israeli arms trickling to the LTTE rebels, even as India was fighting it.

Indian and LTTE delegation in Israel for seeking arms at the same time was also heard. If true, it just underscores how everyone in this game, including Israel, has always prioritized deals over decency. Today’s pact might be hailed as peace, but it’s built on the same shaky foundation of self-serving swaps.

From Principle to Pragmatism

Unpredictabe and Self-Interest based New World Order: These recent events collectively confirm that international relations have entered an era of radical unpredictability and naked self-interest. Principle has been supplanted by pragmatism. The old blocs are gone, replaced by shifting sands of temporary convenience.

India’s New Foreign Policy Doctrine

India, a rising power, is navigating this complex global political Ideals by abandoning the idealism of the past for a policy of ruthless transactionalism. Its foreign policy is neither cornered nor demure; it is cautious and calculating, designed to extract maximum national benefit from every fleeting global alignment.

The mask is off, and the face of modern international politics is pure, cold-eyed business-like calculation.

Mask Discarded: The End of Global Political Ideals

Jatinder Pal Singh Retd CPMF Commandant

📢 Stay Connected With Us!

Get the latest news, analysis, and updates directly on your phone:

✅ Be part of our community and never miss a story.

✍️ Support Independent Journalism

Journalism survives when readers support it. If you value fair, ethical, and fearless reporting, consider supporting our work.

📱 Scan this QR Code to connect directly with me and contribute to our mission:
👉 Every contribution, small or big, strengthens the voice of independent journalism.

Disclaimer

This publication is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It does not substitute for professional advice in any field.

Our editorial work aligns with the principles of:

  • Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India (Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression)
  • Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) (Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression)
  • International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) Global Charter of Ethics for Journalists
  • Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Code of Ethics (U.S.)
  • World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) principles of accessibility, transparency, and responsible digital publishing.

While we strive for accuracy and fairness, Samvad News does not guarantee completeness or absolute correctness of information. Readers are encouraged to verify facts independently and exercise judgment before making personal, financial, or legal decisions based on this content.

Post Views: 1,095