Ancient Civilisations, Emerging Multipolarity & the Global South: Role of India and Iran

By Suryavanshi IAS

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🔹 Introduction

The contemporary world order is in flux. What was once the Western-led international order, centred on U.S. hegemony, is now facing unprecedented challenges: erosion of international law, trade wars, weaponisation of financial systems, and increasing geopolitical rivalries. In this transitional phase, ancient civilisations like India and Iran can play a pivotal role in shaping a just and humane multipolar order.

This blog analyses the shifting power structures, the rise of the Global South, and the civilisational role of India & Iran — with direct relevance to UPSC GS Paper I, II and IR sections.

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🔹 The Western-led Order in Crisis

• Declining Hegemony: U.S. soft power is waning as its monopoly over finance, technology, media, and human rights discourse faces contestation.

• Signs of Crisis:

  • Frequent violations of international law

  • Unchecked military interventions (West Asia, Afghanistan, Ukraine)

  • Trade wars and sanctions regimes

  • Climate change negligence

  • Global institutions losing credibility

🔑 UPSC Relevance:

• GS Paper II (International Relations): Questions on global order, multipolarity, India’s role in NAM, BRICS, G20.

• GS Paper I (History): Civilisational connect of India with West Asia and other regions.

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🔹 Rise of the Global South

• South-South Assertion: Nations are rejecting domination and exploring local models of development.

• Key Factors:

  • Indigenous technological innovations

  • Strategic autonomy in defence & security

  • De-dollarisation and new financial frameworks

• Collective Platforms: BRICS, SCO, G77, INSTC, BRI alternatives.

🔑 UPSC PYQs:

1. 2018 GS-II: “What are the key areas of reform if the WTO has to survive in the present context of the ‘Trade War’, especially keeping in mind the interest of India?”

2. 2020 GS-II: “What is the significance of Indo-Iran relations for India?”

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🔹 Civilisational Role of India and Iran

• Shared Heritage:

  • Ancient civilisations based on peace, spirituality, and respect for diversity.

  • Both influenced conquerors through culture, governance, literature and architecture.

• Modern History Resilience:

  • India: Anti-colonial struggle, NAM leadership.

  • Iran: Oil nationalisation, Islamic Revolution resisting Western domination.

• Common Values Today: Peace, spiritual growth, respect for nature.

🔑 UPSC PYQs:

• 2021 GS-I: “Highlight the importance of ancient Indian cultural history in contemporary diplomacy.”

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🔹 Contemporary Dimensions

1. Palestine & Global South Struggles

• Palestine reflects the hypocrisy of the West.

• Iran supports Palestinian rights, connecting it to the broader fight against occupation.

2. India-Iran Cooperation

• INSTC Corridor: Eurasia–Caucasus–India–Africa link.

• Chabahar Port: Gateway to Afghanistan & Central Asia.

• Energy & Security: India’s crude imports, Iran’s support for a multipolar order.

3. BRICS & Multipolar Institutions

• Alternatives to Bretton Woods institutions.

• Potential de-dollarisation mechanisms.

🔑 UPSC PYQs:

• 2017 GS-II: “Discuss the significance of India’s membership of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).”

• 2019 GS-II: “What are the challenges to India’s foreign policy in the changing global order?”

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🔹 U.S. Interventions & Regional Stability

• West Asia: U.S. supports instability through wars in Iraq, Syria, Yemen; patronage of Israel.

• South Asia: U.S. interventions shaped terrorism dynamics (Afghanistan, Taliban).

🔑 UPSC PYQs:

• 2022 GS-II: “Critically examine the aims and objectives of SCO. What importance does it hold for India?”

• 2023 GS-II: “Discuss the significance of India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) in changing geopolitics.”

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🔹 Way Forward: India-Iran Civilisational Leadership

• Strengthening South-South Cooperation

• Revitalising NAM principles in new form

• Strategic Autonomy in energy, technology, defence

• Civilisational Diplomacy: Spiritual and cultural values as a soft power tool

• Regional Security Frameworks: Indigenous mechanisms in West Asia and South Asia

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🔹 Conclusion

The global order is no longer unipolar. As the West’s dominance wanes, emerging powers and ancient civilisations must shape a participatory and just system. India and Iran, with their historical wisdom, strategic independence, and civilisational depth, are uniquely positioned to guide the Global South.

For UPSC aspirants, understanding this transition is essential not just for GS Papers but also for Essay and Interview, where themes of multipolarity, civilisational diplomacy, and South-South cooperation are increasingly relevant.

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✅ UPSC Takeaway:

• GS-II (IR): Multipolarity, India-Iran ties, BRICS, NAM, Palestine.

• GS-I: Civilisational links, cultural diplomacy.

• GS-III: Energy security, trade corridors.

• Essay Paper: Crisis of Western-led order, Global South unity, India’s leadership.