India’s Role In The New World Order | Trade, Geopolitics & Investment Risks

In  conversation with Business today's Riddhima Bhatnagar, Deepa Kumar, Head of Asia Pacific Country Risk at S&P Global, breaks down India’s positioning in trade, investment, and geopolitics.

She explains how India is leveraging its young and competitive labor force and strategic autonomy to attract global trade opportunities. She says that countries are now not just looking for cost competitiveness but also geopolitically stable partners, making India an increasingly attractive destination for supply chain integration.

The discussion also covers the geopolitical risks and opportunities India faces in the next 3–5 years, from its immediate neighborhood to emerging economies and advanced global players. Deepa emphasizes that India is not choosing sides but is instead likely to act as a bridge economy, balancing relationships with both the Global South and advanced nations, including strategic partners like Japan.

On trade strategy, Deepa outlines how India’s dual approach of negotiating Free Trade Agreements while promoting Atmanirbhar Bharat is complementary, boosting domestic manufacturing and employment while integrating globally. She also touches on India’s energy security, climate resilience, and the importance of domestic policy reforms and state-level alignment to strengthen resilience in a volatile world.