A range of events and diplomatic developments in the recent days suggest the emergence of a multipolar world and India's multi-directional foreign policy.
What suggest this trend?
South Asia - India recently hosted "Bodhi Parva, the BIMSTEC Festival of Buddhist Heritage.
It was part of the 20th anniversary of the Bay of Bengal Forum, the BIMSTEC.
It brings together five South Asian nations (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka) and two South East Asian nations (Burma and Thailand).
It gains significance in the context of India's ties with its neighbouring countries in the South Asian region.
Further, India’s eastward orientation is highlighted by the recent conference on connecting India and the 10-member ASEAN grouping.
Russia - India and Russia held their first bilateral tri-service exercise earlier in the year.
This is the first such exercise for India with any of its foreign partners; certainly reflecting a maturity in the strategic partnership.
The 'Indra' exercise is seen as India’s way of balancing strategic relations with Russia and the US and sending a message to China.
Asia-Pacific - India hosted the Russia-India-China (RIC) trilateral meeting recently.
Trilateral consultations will contribute to strengthening practical coordination on regional and global issues.
The meet also comes as an opportunity for discussions on deepening coordination in the Asia-Pacific region.
Indo-Pacific - India's recent engagement in the Indo-Pacific quadrilateral security dialogue is an example of rising minilaterlaism.
Minilateralism refers to the diplomacy among a limited number of members, dealing with defined subject matters.
The grouping highlights India's strategy of such flexible arrangements to pursue its interests in a more complex world.
Further, India and Australia are expected to hold their maiden ‘two-plus-two’ dialogue involving the Foreign and Defence Secretaries to expand their strategic partnership in the Indo-Pacific region.
Indian Ocean Region - India, Japan and Australia held their foreign secretary-level trilateral meet recently.
With the increasing Chinese presence in the IOR, it is important to re-assert the freedom of navigation in open seas.
The trilateral meet could help boost India's influence in the IOR.
This supplements the quadrilateral dialogue as well as the on-going trilateral engagement with the US and Japan.
Commonwealth - The recent visit by Prince Charles marked a key development in India's ties with the Commonwealth.
One idea being considered was that the administration of the grouping should be de-centralised.
As the world’s largest democracy, India’s role in decentralised administration and contribution to the Commonwealth could be crucial.
What do these signify?
India's diplomatic developments, significantly highlights its adaptive policies amidst the newly emerging geopolitical world.
It asserts India's place in the structure of global power and influence the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific and Eurasia.
They also point to the breakdown of the post Cold War world order dominated by the United States.
