‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ to ‘Vishwa Guru’: India’s shrewd management of (In)security in Indo-Pacific

Abstract This article examines how the concept of ontological insecurity has shaped India’s foreign policy in the context of its regional and global engagements. Specifically, it explores how India’s narratives of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (One Earth, One Family, One Future) and Vishwa Guru (World Leader) have emerged as strategic tools to address identity-based challenges, particularly those posed by China’s growing influence and revisionist policies. By analyzing critical events such as the Doklam standoff, China’s Belt and Road Initiative, and the Galwan Valley clashes, the article argues that India’s foreign policy reflects an attempt to manage disruptions to its ontological security. Through these frameworks, India projects itself as a moral and cultural leader, utilizing identity-anchoring strategies to navigate threats and assert leadership in the Global South and Indo-Pacific. The article also critiques the interplay between India’s ontological insecurity and its evolving foreign policy routines, including its engagement with minilateral bodies like the Quad, as well as its focus on cultural diplomacy during events such as the G20 Summit. This analysis provides a notional contribution to understanding how ontological insecurity shapes state behavior, particularly in the Asia-Pacific. It underscores India’s strategic responses to external disruptions to its identity, offering insights into the broader implications of ontological security for International Relations theory and practice.