India: Navigating Trade, Defense, and Diplomacy in a Multipolar World India, with a $4.1 trillion GDP and a youthful demographic, stands as a pivotal global power, leveraging its multi-alignment strategy to navigate the U.S.-China rivalry, assert leadership in BRICS, and expand trade in goods and services with the United States, China, Russia, the European Union (EU), ASEAN, Quad countries (U.S., Japan, Australia), Middle Eastern energy producers, and Turkey. As the fastest-growing large economy and a voice of the Global South, India balances economic growth, defense modernization, and diplomatic finesse while addressing regional challenges from Pakistan’s China-Turkey alignment. This India-centric note provides an in-depth analysis of its geopolitical positioning, BRICS role, trade dynamics (updated for FY 2024-25, including services), defense procurement and reliance, and threats in trade and defense, contextualizing Pakistan’s challenges. 1. India’s Geopolitical Positioning: Multi-A...