As in most things that move and change the ties between countries, which is governed by international relations, is also always in a state of fluid. In fact every country, which is admitted as an independent State by the United Nations (UN), has diplomatic relation with the comity of countries. The UN is therefore an important platform where international diplomatic relation is carried out and maintained. The forum provided by the UN goes beyond politics and includes within its umbrella all shade and opinion. For instance two countries (Iran and the United States) may not be in talking terms because of political differences yet both are members of the UN and they continue to take part in the programmes and activities of the UN bodies. Nevertheless it is true that the quest for power, dominance and influence continue to be part and parcel of international relation and here the UN is mostly a silent spectator. All of us are aware about the formation of the UN by the allied powers at the end of World War-II. The UN was formed with the common objective of peace and security and to avoid the catostrophe of another war. However immediately after its formation the cold war set in leading to a bi-polar world order of the US and Soviet Union led alliances. Countries were part of either the Soviet or US military-political-economic alliance. Then there were a few countries which did not want to be identified with either and called themselves non-aligned (movement). India along with many of the newly formed States made up this group. Bloc politics dominated global affairs. All of us are aware of the arms race, military alliances and not to forget the nuclear flashpoint.
Ever since the fall of the Soviet Union and emergence of the US as the sole superpower, the situation is very different. Along with the US we have several emerging powers including China, India, Brazil etc and people have been talking about a multi-polar world order. We also have bilateral relations between two countries giving way to multilateralism involving the shared concerns and cooperation of several countries in such issues like climate change, trade, disarmament etc. All such forums are good for building a climate of trust and cooperation among countries. The question is how long this post-cold war era will continue before we see new shifts in the global order. In this regard we should take note of the serious challenge posed by China to the US both in terms of economic and military power. There are already signs of Beijing’s rise to the top and likewise signs of the US getting wary. A few recent developments make us wonder how the post-coldwar period is going to take shape. Recently we have had the US and Pakistan falling out over the war on terror. Islamabad is always looking to Beijing for a shoulder to cry on. The US on its part while having Pakistan as its ‘expedient partner’ would rather trust India. Then there was this war of words between Russia and the US over the former’s conduct of elections with Premier Vladimar Putin expressing his displeasure to the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. On top of all this we have several countries carrying with them a strong anti-American sentiment. So the question is will we have another round of bloc politics this time the US and others vs China and others. Let us hope that we do not return to the past of irrationality and intolerance that enabled the kind of wars the world experienced.
Ever since the fall of the Soviet Union and emergence of the US as the sole superpower, the situation is very different. Along with the US we have several emerging powers including China, India, Brazil etc and people have been talking about a multi-polar world order. We also have bilateral relations between two countries giving way to multilateralism involving the shared concerns and cooperation of several countries in such issues like climate change, trade, disarmament etc. All such forums are good for building a climate of trust and cooperation among countries. The question is how long this post-cold war era will continue before we see new shifts in the global order. In this regard we should take note of the serious challenge posed by China to the US both in terms of economic and military power. There are already signs of Beijing’s rise to the top and likewise signs of the US getting wary. A few recent developments make us wonder how the post-coldwar period is going to take shape. Recently we have had the US and Pakistan falling out over the war on terror. Islamabad is always looking to Beijing for a shoulder to cry on. The US on its part while having Pakistan as its ‘expedient partner’ would rather trust India. Then there was this war of words between Russia and the US over the former’s conduct of elections with Premier Vladimar Putin expressing his displeasure to the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. On top of all this we have several countries carrying with them a strong anti-American sentiment. So the question is will we have another round of bloc politics this time the US and others vs China and others. Let us hope that we do not return to the past of irrationality and intolerance that enabled the kind of wars the world experienced.
