Trade Is the New Geopolitics—and India Must Learn to Play It
Why India’s future power will be shaped less by diplomacy and more by trade architecture
Vivek Y. Kelkar
Researcher, Analyst & Columnist
on Geo-economics, Geopolitics and Sustainability
Vivek Y. Kelkar is a researcher, analyst, and columnist working at the intersection of geo-economics, geopolitics, and sustainability. His work explores global power shifts, strategy, trade transitions, and the geopolitics of climate-related systemic risk—integrating political economy with emerging trends across China, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. He also writes for Moneycontrol, Modern Diplomat, Asia Times, and The Spectator.
Vivek brings extensive global management experience in M&A, strategy, brand and stakeholder management, and sustainability, alongside deep involvement in media.
He is a Visiting Faculty at IIM-Indore, and has delivered conference papers and participated in expert panels with institutions like the Institute of Chinese Studies, India, besides moderating at online forums.
Vivek holds an MA in International Political Economy from the University of Sheffield and an MBA from Ashridge Business School.
My contributions
15 articles written
Iran at the Brink: Five Scenarios That Could Reshape the Region
Economic collapse, political revolt and great-power rivalry converge in Iran’s most dangerous moment in decades.
A World Without Endgames
What prolonged global conflicts mean for Europe, China—and India’s narrowing strategic space.
From Gaza to Doha:How Israel’s Strike on Qatar Shook the Middle East
Israel’s strike on Qatar has triggered a dangerous new phase in the Middle East — exposing Washington’s conflicting roles as ally and broker
Trump's Tariff Gambit and the Global Trade Dilemma
In the Indo-Pacific, America’s transactionalism collides with its strategic incoherence—posing hard choices for its partners
Trump’s hardball tactics to extract minerals & peace in Ukraine
Ukraine’s critical minerals deal with the US hangs on the edge of a precipice. Will it be a harbinger of peace with Russia? Or a deal too complex for even Trump to swing?
Briefing #2: The risks from war still raise the spectre of uncertainty
The ghosts of the past will continue to haunt long into the future
Briefing 3: The US - Europe - Russia - China - India dynamic
Security and economic realism determine much of today’s trade. The third and final in a three-part series to set context for the Masterclass on Geopolitics and Global Trade
Briefing 2: India and the Indo-Pacific
Geopolitics, geo-economics and India’s positioning in the region. The second in a three-part series to set context for the Masterclass on Geopolitics and Global Trade
Briefing 1: How a fragmented world will impact trade & corporate strategy
The first in a three-part series to set context for the Masterclass on Geopolitics and Global Trade