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Global Order in Flux: West Asia Key to Power Shift Says M J Akbar

Former Minister of State for External Affairs M J Akbar stated that the global order is undergoing significant changes, with West Asia central to an emerging power shift. He highlighted that the UAE's decision to move away from OPEC reflects changing regional priorities, where national interests override older alignments. Akbar noted that traditional institutions like NATO and the UN are struggling to assert authority amid multipolar realities and renewed strategic contestation. The symposium also featured discussions on India's strategic calculus in the region, emphasizing the need for a pragmatic foreign policy approach.

Key Points: Global Order in Flux: West Asia Key to Power Shift: M J Akbar

  • Global order undergoing significant changes
  • West Asia central to emerging power shift
  • UAE moving away from OPEC reflects changing priorities
  • Traditional institutions like NATO and UN face growing challenges
2 min read

Global order in flux, West Asia central to emerging power shift: Former MoS M J Akbar

Former MoS M J Akbar says global order is changing, with West Asia at the center of emerging power shifts, challenging traditional institutions like NATO and UN.

"The world order is again in flux - M J Akbar"

Guwahati, April 30

Former Minister of State for External Affairs, M.J. Akbar, said on Thursday that the global order is undergoing significant changes, with traditional international institutions facing growing challenges in an increasingly uncertain and multipolar world.

Delivering the keynote address at a national symposium on 'West Asia in a Fragmented Global Order: Security Dynamics and Economic Implications' organised by the Gauhati University, former MoS Akbar added that recent developments in the global energy and financial sectors point to a steady shift in power equations.

He said the decision of the United Arab Emirates to move away from OPEC reflects changing priorities in the region.

According to the former MoS, such developments indicate that national interests are increasingly overriding older alignments shaped by external influence.

Former MoS Akbar also referred to debates surrounding the dominance of the US dollar in global markets, saying these trends together suggest the emergence of a new geopolitical and economic balance.

"The world order is again in flux," he said, while pointing to renewed strategic contestation among major world powers.

He also added that institutions such as Nato and the United Nations, once seen as key pillars of global stability, are finding it increasingly difficult to assert authority amid changing realities.

Vice-Chancellor of Gauhati University, Nani Gopal Mahanta, also spoke on the occasion and highlighted pressures on traditional pillars of American global leadership.

He said that both strategic dominance and ideological influence are being increasingly contested in several regions.

Referring to developments in West Asia, Mahanta said the US, long regarded as a principal security provider in the Gulf region, is now facing questions over its role and reliability.

He also pointed to emerging divergences within Western alliances that could reshape future global alignments.

A panel discussion on "West Asia in Transition: Power Shifts, Global Rivalries, and India's Strategic Calculus" featured former Assam Director General of Police Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta, academicians Subhrajeet Konwer and Obja Bora Hazarika, and strategic affairs expert Abhijan Das.

The speakers discussed intensifying rivalries, shifting power centres and their implications for India's foreign policy and economic interests, stressing the need for a calibrated and pragmatic approach towards the strategically important region.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Finally some solid strategic discussion happening in our universities! We need more of this. The US dollar dominance debate is crucial for India's economy. If BRICS countries push for alternatives, it could benefit us. But we should be careful not to alienate the US completely. Diplomacy is all about walking the tightrope. 🇮🇳
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Vikram M
Good points by the former MoS, but I wish they had also discussed the China factor more deeply. Beijing is expanding its influence in West Asia through investments and infrastructure. India cannot afford to lag behind. Our diaspora in the Gulf is large and sends huge remittances – that gives us leverage we must use strategically.
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Rohit P
As a student of international relations, this is music to my ears! The multipolar world is real, and India's moment is now. But we need more than symposiums – we need our diplomats to actually implement pragmatic policies. The West Asia region is volatile with conflicts, and India has interests in energy security, trade and our workers' safety there.
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Sneha F
I appreciate the academic approach by Gauhati University. However, I wish they had included more perspectives on the humanitarian costs of how global power shifts affect ordinary people in West Asia. The refugee crises, the impact of wars on civilians – these are also part of the equation. India's foreign policy should balance realism with humanity.
N
Nikhil C
Interesting how even smaller institutions like Gauhati University are now engaging in high-level strategic discourse. This shows India's intellectual ecosystem is maturing. Akbar sahab

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