Which of the following best captures the author's view of India's role in the multi-polar world?

Question

Which of the following best captures the author's view of India's role in the multi-polar world?

1. A. India is attempting to dominate weaker states in Asia.
2. B. India functions as a mediator that bridges diverse global power structures. (Correct answer)
3. C. India seeks to replace the United States as the world's leading superpower.
4. D. India prefers neutrality and complete disengagement from global politics.

Correct Answer

Option B — India functions as a mediator that bridges diverse global power structures.

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is India functions as a mediator that bridges diverse global power structures..

Key Points

• The passage states that India *aspires to function as a balancing power — bridging the ideological divide between established Western democracies and emerging non-Western coalitions*.
• That is precisely the role of a mediator bridging diverse global power structures.
• The closing paragraph reinforces it: India's vision is *neither confrontational nor subordinate*.

Additional Information

• Option A (dominating weaker states) is nowhere supported and clashes with *mutual respect*.
• Option C (replacing the United States) contradicts *neither confrontational nor subordinate* and the call for shared responsibility.
• Option D (neutrality and disengagement) is refuted by India's active membership of several groupings.
• The two rejected extremes — domination and withdrawal — are the poles the passage explicitly positions India between.

*Ministry of Papers worked solution. The Commission has not yet published the official key for this paper; this answer will be reconciled with it on release.*