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By:

Rajiv Shah

22 September 2025 at 8:32:23 pm

New Alliances, New Pressures, New Fault Lines

To its west, old relationships in the Gulf are acquiring new strategic and military dimensions. Across the Atlantic, Washington is increasingly using tariffs as an instrument of foreign policy. At the same time, India holds the BRICS presidency in 2026 and prepares to host its summit when the grouping is being watched in the West as a potential challenge to the American-dominated global financial order. Individually, these developments may appear unrelated. Put together, they reveal a larger...

New Alliances, New Pressures, New Fault Lines

To its west, old relationships in the Gulf are acquiring new strategic and military dimensions. Across the Atlantic, Washington is increasingly using tariffs as an instrument of foreign policy. At the same time, India holds the BRICS presidency in 2026 and prepares to host its summit when the grouping is being watched in the West as a potential challenge to the American-dominated global financial order. Individually, these developments may appear unrelated. Put together, they reveal a larger geopolitical churn in which alliances, energy, trade, currencies and economic coercion are becoming interconnected. India finds itself almost at its centre. The emerging Saudi Arabia–Türkiye–Pakistan security equation deserves particular attention. Saudi Arabia brings enormous financial and energy influence; Türkiye possesses considerable military strength, NATO experience and an expanding defence industry; Pakistan brings a large military establishment and nuclear capability with the open support of Washington. Any arrangement containing a collective-defence commitment naturally acquires significance beyond ordinary diplomatic cooperation. Alongside it, another strategic convergence has gradually developed among India, Israel and the UAE. It would be incorrect to describe this as a formal military alliance. Yet geopolitics does not operate through defence treaties alone. India's extensive defence and technology relationship with Israel, its rapidly expanding economic and strategic partnership with the UAE, and the UAE-Israel relationship following the Abraham Accords have created considerable common ground. I2U2—bringing together India, Israel, the UAE and the United States—added another institutional dimension. Thus, without necessarily becoming opposing military camps, two interesting strategic formations are visible across West Asia: Saudi Arabia–Türkiye–Pakistan and the looser India–UAE–Israel convergence. Balancing Challenge India faces a similar balancing challenge. The Gulf is not a distant geopolitical theatre for New Delhi. Nearly nine million Indians live and work there. India's energy security, investments, trade and remittance flows are closely connected with the region. The proposed India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor also requires relative stability across this geography. Polarisation in West Asia can therefore rapidly become an Indian economic and strategic problem. There is another question Indian planners cannot ignore. If a future India-Pakistan confrontation escalates, how would any collective-defence commitment involving Pakistan be interpreted by Saudi Arabia and Türkiye? It would be alarmist to assume that either country would automatically enter a conflict against India. Saudi Arabia, in particular, has substantial economic and strategic interests in maintaining good relations with New Delhi. Nevertheless, defence planners are paid to examine possibilities before they become crises. While these equations develop in India's neighbourhood, economic pressure is emerging from Washington. The US Senate has voted 86–11 for legislation intended to increase pressure on Russia by targeting major purchasers of Russian energy. The measure could authorise tariffs reaching 100 per cent against goods from countries continuing large-scale purchases of Russian oil and gas, with India among those potentially exposed. China is powerful enough to shrug off similar challenges from the West." However this does not mean that America has already imposed a 100 per cent tariff on India. Further legislative steps remain necessary, and presidential waiver provisions are important. But the overwhelming Senate vote carries a political message that New Delhi cannot dismiss. Tariffs are no longer merely tools of trade protection; they have become instruments of geopolitical coercion. Washington's argument is understandable: revenues from Russian petroleum help sustain Moscow's economy during the Ukraine war, and reducing those revenues increases pressure on Russia. But in that case what about European countries who too were/are customers of Russian oil? India's question is equally legitimate: who should determine where India purchases the energy required by more than 1.4 billion people? If Russian crude remains commercially advantageous and helps contain domestic energy costs, New Delhi cannot reasonably be expected to make every energy decision according to another country's geopolitical priorities. Strategic partnership cannot become strategic obedience. This is where BRICS enters the larger picture. India holds the BRICS presidency in 2026 and will host its leaders at an unusually sensitive moment. BRICS is no longer merely the original grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Its expansion has considerably increased its demographic, energy and geopolitical weight. More importantly, discussions around BRICS increasingly touch a sensitive nerve in Washington: alternative payment mechanisms, local-currency trade, development finance and the possibility of gradually reducing dependence upon the dollar-dominated international financial system. The BRICS Summit this time is poised to take some decisive steps which may affect western interests especially US. (The writer is an advocate, legal, geopolitical and public policy analyst. Views personal.)

‘The world is embracing Indian perfumery’

Updated: Mar 10, 2025


Indian perfumery
Swapnil Pathak Sharma

Swapnil Pathak Sharma is the fourth generation entrepreneur who aims to take her family’s traditional business of Indian essence and wellness products to the global stage. She launched an essence brand ‘Zighrana’ two years ago. Today, she is ready to take a giant leap in the global fragrance industry which is estimated to be over $24 billion. In a conversation with ‘The Perfect Voice’, Pathak Sharma talks about her ideas and goals. Excerpts…


Can you tell us about your journey in reviving India's rich perfumery heritage and the inspiration behind launching Zighrana?

Zighrana represents the perfect blend of tradition and luxury, rooted in a legacy that dates back to 1911. As a fourth-generation perfumer, I never initially planned to follow in my forefathers’ footsteps. However, when I realized that my family was creating some of the finest quality fragrances, I knew they deserved a global audience. That’s when I decided to step in..not just to continue the legacy, but to take it to the world through branding.

After completing my graduation in Pune, I started assisting my father in the family business, learning the intricacies of essential oil and attar manufacturing. To further deepen my understanding, I later pursued an advanced perfumery course at the prestigious Pratt Institute in New York City.

While my family had always focused on manufacturing, we had never ventured into branding. My vision was to transform our heritage into a brand that could showcase the artistry of Indian perfumery on a global scale.

We launched Zighrana in New York, a city that brings together cultures from around the world, making it the perfect platform to introduce Indian perfumery to an international audience. It was our way of declaring that India, with its rich and time-honored fragrance traditions, is ready to stand alongside the world’s most renowned perfume houses.


Kannauj is known as the perfume capital of India. How has this unique cultural and historical influence shaped the identity and offerings of Zighrana?

Since Kannauj is my hometown, it is more than just a place to me..it is my identity, my heritage, and an emotion deeply embedded in who I am. The centuries-old perfumery traditions of this city run in my blood, shaping my understanding of fragrances from an early age.

This deep-rooted cultural and historical influence is at the very core of Zighrana. The deg-bhapka method of distillation, a time-honored technique perfected over generations, remains central to our process. Known for capturing the purest essence of natural ingredients, this traditional craft gives our fragrances their authenticity and depth. At Zighrana, we honor these heritage techniques while infusing them with modern perfumery to create scents that resonate with today’s audience.


How do you feel about the growing international recognition of Indian attars?

Having Zighrana’s perfumes presented at the G20 summit was a proud moment, as it showcased India’s perfumery legacy at a prestigious global platform. Similarly, launching  ‘Vikas Khanna by Zighrana’ was a significant step for us as we were getting into the world of Eau de parfums with it.

This recognition fuels my passion to continue reviving and reintroducing India’s natural fragrances to the world. It’s not just about selling perfumes, it’s about telling the story of Indian perfumery heritage, preserving an ancient craft, and ensuring that Indian attars take their rightful place among the world’s finest fragrances.


The 'Ayodhya Ittar' is a beautiful tribute to Lord Shri Ram. Can you share the significance of this perfume and its cultural and spiritual importance for both India and the world?

Ayodhya attar is a spiritual tribute to Lord Shri Ram, symbolizing his purity, devotion, and righteousness. Crafted from natural ingredients known for their calming qualities, it captures the essence of Lord Shri Ram’s legacy. For India, it celebrates the nation’s rich spiritual heritage, while for the world, it offers a fragrance that embodies universal values of peace, love, and justice. It is more than a perfume, it’s a sacred experience connecting the soul to divinity.


How do you see the future of attars and natural perfumes in the global luxury market?

With growing consumer awareness about sustainability, the demand for natural perfumes and attars is steadily rising in the global luxury market. More people are looking for fragrances that are not only luxurious but also ethically sourced, free from synthetic chemicals, and rooted in authenticity. This shift aligns perfectly with what Zighrana stands for..pure, handcrafted attars made using time-honored distillation techniques and natural ingredients.

I believe the future of attars is incredibly promising. As consumers move away from mass-produced synthetic perfumes, they are rediscovering the artistry and depth of natural fragrances. Indian attars, with their rich heritage and sustainable production methods, have a unique opportunity to redefine luxury in perfumery.

The future belongs to fragrances that tell a story—of nature, craftsmanship, and sustainability—and attars perfectly embody that vision.


As a woman entrepreneur leading Zighrana, what challenges and opportunities have you faced in establishing your brand in the competitive luxury fragrance industry?

I was raised to believe there’s nothing I can’t do as a woman, and this mindset has shaped my journey..whether in business, motherhood, or creativity. Balancing multiple roles comes with challenges, but it also teaches patience and fuels my desire to build a legacy for my children. No matter how busy life gets, making time for what you love brings balance and fulfillment.

Building Zighrana in the luxury fragrance industry has been both challenging and rewarding. Establishing a niche for Indian attars in a market dominated by Western perfumes, balancing heritage with innovation, and educating consumers about natural, artisanal fragrances were key hurdles. Yet, the opportunities are immense..the world is embracing Indian perfumery, seeking sustainable, authentic scents.

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