## 🌍 India’s Role as Peacemaker in an Era of Hard Power

Analysis by former Sri Lankan Cabinet Minister Milinda Moragoda highlights a global shift where military, economic, and technological power have replaced multilateral institutions as the primary instruments of statecraft. • Global Context Recent US-Israel strikes on Iran signal a move from deterrent signaling to coordinated military action. The post-Cold War era of institutional optimism (UN, global trade frameworks) is under strain as states increasingly use sanctions, technological restrictions, and military strikes to assert interests. • Strategic Implications for Sri Lanka & South Asia Regional stability is critical for economic growth, connectivity, and development. Unchecked escalation among global powers imposes heavy costs on smaller economies reliant on stable external environments. • India’s Unique Positioning India’s "strategic autonomy" allows it to maintain relationships across competing power blocs and the Global South. The report suggests India leverage this credibility to facilitate Track 1.5 and Track 2 dialogues—involving retired officials and thinkers—to explore "red lines" and prevent miscalculations. • Key Recommendations Move beyond formal, rigid multilateral settings to quiet, focused diplomacy. Deploy special envoys to facilitate communication between rivals, ensuring a "harder world" remains a controllable one.