14 Feb 2026·Source: The Indian Express

4 min

International RelationsPolity & GovernanceNEWS

Shifting Alliances: Permanent Allies and Adversaries Less Reliable, Says Expert

Geopolitical expert highlights the increasing fluidity of international relations and alliances.

A geopolitical expert suggests that assumptions about permanent allies and adversaries are becoming increasingly unreliable in the current global landscape. The expert argues that factors such as economic interests, shifting power dynamics, and emerging security threats are leading to more fluid and unpredictable alliances.

This shift requires nations to adopt more flexible and adaptable foreign policies, focusing on issue-based coalitions rather than rigid, long-term partnerships. The changing nature of alliances presents both opportunities and challenges for countries navigating the complexities of international relations.

Key Facts

Assumptions about permanent allies and adversaries are becoming unreliable.

Economic interests, shifting power dynamics, and emerging security threats are driving this change.

Nations need to adopt more flexible and adaptable foreign policies.

Focus should be on issue-based coalitions rather than rigid, long-term partnerships.

UPSC Exam Angles

GS Paper 2: International Relations, Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests

Connects to syllabus by highlighting the evolving nature of international alliances and their impact on global politics

Potential question types: Statement-based MCQs, analytical questions on the future of alliances

In Simple Words

Imagine countries as friends. Earlier, you knew who your friends and rivals were for life. Now, things change. Friends might disagree, and rivals might find common ground, so everyone needs to be flexible.

India Angle

This affects India because our government has to constantly adjust who we work with on things like trade, security, and climate change. It means being open to new partnerships and not relying on old assumptions.

For Instance

Think of it like your neighborhood cricket team. You might team up with players from a rival team to win a bigger tournament, even if you usually compete against them.

This affects everyone because it influences trade, jobs, and even national security. A more adaptable foreign policy can help India navigate a complex world and protect its interests.

In global politics, flexibility is the new loyalty.

Visual Insights

Shifting Alliances in International Relations

Mind map showing the factors leading to shifting alliances and their implications.

Shifting Alliances

●Economic Interests
●Shifting Power Dynamics
●Emerging Security Threats
●Fluid and Adaptable Foreign Policies

More Information

Background

The concept of alliances in international relations has evolved significantly over time. Historically, alliances were often based on dynastic ties, religious affiliations, or immediate security threats. The Treaty of Westphalia in 1648, which established the modern state system, also laid the groundwork for formalized alliances between sovereign nations. These early alliances were often short-lived and driven by specific circumstances. Over the centuries, the nature of alliances has been shaped by major geopolitical shifts. The rise of nationalism in the 19th century led to the formation of alliances based on shared national identities and interests. The two World Wars saw the emergence of large-scale military alliances, such as the Allies and the Axis powers. The Cold War era was characterized by the formation of ideological blocs, with the NATO and the Warsaw Pact representing the two dominant alliances. In the post-Cold War era, the global landscape has become more complex and multipolar. The rise of new economic powers, the proliferation of non-state actors, and the emergence of transnational threats such as terrorism and climate change have challenged traditional notions of alliances. This has led to a greater emphasis on flexible and issue-based coalitions, as nations seek to address specific challenges through cooperation with diverse partners. The UN Charter provides a framework for international cooperation, but the actual formation of alliances is often driven by national interests and strategic considerations.

Latest Developments

Recent geopolitical events have further underscored the fluidity of alliances. The rise of China as a major economic and military power has led to a realignment of alliances in the Indo-Pacific region. The Quad grouping, comprising the United States, India, Japan, and Australia, is an example of an emerging alliance aimed at countering China's growing influence. However, even within the Quad, there are differences in strategic priorities and approaches. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has also highlighted the changing nature of alliances. While NATO has provided significant support to Ukraine, there are divisions among member states regarding the extent and nature of that support. Some countries have been more willing to provide military aid, while others have focused on economic sanctions and diplomatic pressure. This demonstrates that even within established alliances, there can be significant variations in commitment and action. Looking ahead, it is likely that alliances will become even more fluid and issue-based. Nations will increasingly seek to form coalitions of the willing to address specific challenges, rather than relying on rigid, long-term partnerships. This will require a greater emphasis on diplomacy, communication, and adaptability. The ability to forge and maintain effective alliances will be crucial for countries seeking to navigate the complexities of the 21st-century world. The role of multilateral institutions like the UN will also be critical in fostering cooperation and managing conflicts.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the key facts about shifting alliances that are important for UPSC Prelims?

For the UPSC Prelims, remember that assumptions about permanent allies and adversaries are becoming unreliable. Economic interests, shifting power dynamics, and emerging security threats are driving this change. Nations are adopting more flexible foreign policies, focusing on issue-based coalitions.

Exam Tip

Focus on the drivers of shifting alliances: economic interests, power dynamics, and security threats.

2. Why is the concept of 'shifting alliances' in the news recently?

The concept is in the news because recent geopolitical events have underscored the fluidity of alliances. The rise of China and the emergence of groupings like the Quad highlight how alliances are being realigned in response to shifting power dynamics.

Exam Tip

Relate the concept to current events like the rise of China and the Quad grouping.

3. What are 'issue-based coalitions' and why are they becoming more important?

Issue-based coalitions are temporary partnerships formed between nations to address specific challenges or advance shared interests. They are becoming more important because they allow countries to cooperate on specific issues without being bound by rigid, long-term alliances. This flexibility is crucial in a rapidly changing global landscape.

Exam Tip

Understand that issue-based coalitions offer flexibility in addressing specific challenges.

4. How does the shift towards more fluid alliances impact a nation's foreign policy?

The shift requires nations to adopt more flexible and adaptable foreign policies. Countries need to focus on identifying common interests and building issue-based coalitions rather than relying on rigid, long-term partnerships. This also means being prepared to adjust alliances as circumstances change.

Exam Tip

Focus on adaptability and issue-based cooperation as key elements of modern foreign policy.

5. In the context of shifting alliances, what are the potential challenges for India?

One potential challenge is navigating relationships with countries that may have conflicting interests in different areas. India needs to balance its partnerships carefully to ensure its own strategic interests are protected. Maintaining autonomy in decision-making becomes crucial.

Exam Tip

Consider the need for strategic autonomy and balancing competing interests.

6. What are the implications of increasingly fluid alliances for regional stability?

Fluid alliances can lead to both increased instability and new opportunities for cooperation. On one hand, the uncertainty of alliances can create tensions and mistrust. On the other hand, it can also allow for more flexible responses to emerging threats and opportunities for cooperation on specific issues.

Exam Tip

Analyze both the potential risks and benefits of fluid alliances for regional stability.

Practice Questions (MCQs)

1. Consider the following statements regarding the changing nature of international alliances: 1. Assumptions about permanent allies and adversaries are becoming more reliable due to increasing global interdependence. 2. Economic interests and shifting power dynamics are contributing to more fluid and unpredictable alliances. 3. Nations are increasingly focusing on issue-based coalitions rather than rigid, long-term partnerships. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 and 2 only
B.2 and 3 only
C.1 and 3 only
D.1, 2 and 3

Show Answer

Answer: B

Statement 1 is INCORRECT: The expert suggests that assumptions about permanent allies and adversaries are becoming *less* reliable, not more. Statement 2 is CORRECT: Economic interests and shifting power dynamics are indeed leading to more fluid alliances. Statement 3 is CORRECT: The trend is towards issue-based coalitions for flexibility. Therefore, only statements 2 and 3 are correct.

2. In the context of shifting international alliances, which of the following factors is NOT explicitly mentioned as a driver of this change?

A.Economic interests
B.Shifting power dynamics
C.Emerging security threats
D.Climate change mitigation efforts

Show Answer

Answer: D

The expert explicitly mentions economic interests, shifting power dynamics, and emerging security threats as drivers of the change in international alliances. While climate change is a global issue, the article does not explicitly mention climate change mitigation efforts as a direct driver of shifting alliances.

3. Assertion (A): In the current global landscape, nations are adopting more flexible foreign policies. Reason (R): Assumptions about permanent allies and adversaries are becoming less reliable due to evolving geopolitical dynamics. In the context of the above statements, which of the following is correct?

A.Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
B.Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
C.A is true but R is false
D.A is false but R is true

Show Answer

Answer: A

Both the assertion and the reason are true. The shift towards more flexible foreign policies (A) is directly driven by the fact that traditional assumptions about permanent allies and adversaries are becoming less reliable (R). The evolving geopolitical dynamics necessitate a more adaptable approach to foreign policy.

Source Articles

‘JAI Se Vijay’ seminar: Assumptions about permanent friends or adversaries are increasingly becoming unreliable, says CDS | Pune News - The Indian Express

The Indian Express·14 Feb 2026