Compound Network Power: India’s Minilateral Diplomacy under Modi

As global governance becomes increasingly fragmented, minilateral arrangements have emerged as flexible mechanisms for issue-specific coordination. Focusing on India’s minilateral diplomacy under the Modi government, this article conceptualizes “compound network power” by integrating relational and structural dimensions of network-based influence. Using this concept, it examines how India leverages participation in multiple minilateral platforms to enhance its influence within international cooperation networks. Drawing on social network analysis, the article compares changes in India’s institutional connectivity and network position between 2014 and 2025. The analysis identifies three mechanisms through which India accumulates network-based influence: proactive network expansion, modular shaping across issue areas, and dynamic recalibration of institutional engagement.