As global fault lines deepen and old alliances shift, policymakers are forced to rethink strategy in real time. At a panel discussion on “Policy Frameworks in Times of Geopolitical Uncertainty,” held as part of the Future Career Conversations Series, experts revealed how energy, geopolitics, and foreign policy are increasingly intertwined in shaping the global order. Moderated by Stanley Johny, International Affairs Editor of The Hindu, the meeting brought together Air Marshal M Matheswaran (retd), Commodore RS Vasan (retd) and veteran journalist Nayani Basu.
Energy as leverage
The key topic of discussion was energy security. With India importing nearly 85% of its oil, the panelists noted that vulnerabilities have only deepened since the Ukraine war, which disrupted established supply chains and changed global energy flows. The conversation pointed to a larger strategic shift where control over energy resources is closely related to global influence. The United States, now among the largest producers of oil and LNG, was seen as a country moving to exert greater control over energy markets and, by extension, the global financial system through the dominance of the petrodollar.
The limits of global power
Air Marshal Matheswaran, former Deputy Chief of the Integrated Defense Staff and founder-chairman of The Peninsula Foundation, placed the concept of oil supremacy in a broader historical context, arguing that no superpower would remain dominant indefinitely. He drew parallels with past empires and suggested that global powers are often at loggerheads, especially when military and economic ambitions outpace sustainability. The post-Cold War arrangement, he suggested, reflects such patterns, with attempts to consolidate dominance now intersecting with growing opposition from other powers.
The panel also explored the unpredictability of current economic policy, particularly in the context of tariffs. Commodore Vasan, CEO of the Chennai Center for China Studies and Regional Director of the National Maritime Foundation, Tamil Nadu, pointed out the lack of continuity in policy approaches, especially under a leadership that relies on quick shifts and tactical decisions. According to him, this complicates long-term planning for countries such as India, which must navigate an increasingly volatile business environment.
Reassessing the neighborhood
Author and journalist Nayanima Basu brought the focus closer to home, arguing that India’s immediate neighborhood has undergone significant changes that are often underestimated. The evolving political realities from Afghanistan to Bangladesh require a more engaged. She warned against viewing regional developments through outdated frameworks and stressed the need for consistent diplomatic outreach. Decisions such as visa restrictions due to regime changes, she suggested, risk curtailing India’s long-term strategic space. At the same time, she argued that India must strike a balance, working with global powers like the United States while maintaining independent positions on sensitive issues.
One thought remained constant throughout the discussion: energy remains the lifeline of modern economies, and disruptions to supply chains will continue to shape geopolitical tensions for years to come.
For India, the way forward lies in managing this uncertainty through diversified energy sourcing, strategic autonomy and a clearer articulation of its role in an increasingly contested global order.
Published – 3 Apr 2026 0:45 AM IST
