India's world-view has evolved over millennia, shaped by its geography, history, philosophical traditions, economic interests, and interactions with other civilizations. From ancient times, the subcontinent’s perspective on the world was deeply intertwined with its religious and philosophical outlook. Early Indian thought, as reflected in the Vedas, Upanishads, and epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana, emphasized dharma (moral and social order) and artha (material prosperity) as guiding principles. While these texts were primarily inward-looking, focusing on societal harmony, they also acknowledged the existence of distant lands and peoples, reflecting a nascent awareness of the broader world. Indian trade networks, extending from the Indus Valley Civilization to later kingdoms, facilitated contact with Mesopotamia, Persia, and Southeast Asia, shaping early perceptions of international relations and cross-cultural exchanges. During the Mauryan period (circa 321–185 BCE), under the leadership of Ashoka, India’s world-view took a more outward and universalistic dimension. Ashoka’s embrace of Buddhism and his efforts to spread it across Central Asia, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia highlighted an ethical and moral approach to international relations. The idea that governance should be based on dharma was extended beyond the boundaries of the empire, advocating moral principles over mere power politics. This period also reflected India’s awareness of global interconnections, as seen in diplomatic missions and trade routes that reached Hellenistic kingdoms and beyond. The post-Mauryan period, including the Gupta era and the regional kingdoms that followed, reinforced India’s focus on internal consolidation and cultural achievements. Indian mathematicians, astronomers, and scholars like Aryabhata and Varahamihira contributed to knowledge that reached the Islamic world and later Europe, indicating an evolving understanding of India as both a source of wisdom and a participant in global intellectual networks. Simultaneously, Indian maritime trade with Southeast Asia, China, and the Arabian Peninsula fostered a commercial and cultural worldview that integrated economic pragmatism with philosophical cosmopolitanism. With the advent of Islamic invasions and the establishment of the Delhi Sultanate and later the Mughal Empire, India’s world-view incorporated new political and cultural dimensions. Interaction with Persianate culture, Central Asia, and Europe through trade and diplomacy created a synthesis of indigenous and foreign ideas. The Mughals’ administrative practices, cultural patronage, and international diplomacy reflected a nuanced approach to power and intercultural engagement. Indian thinkers, merchants, and rulers were increasingly aware of global dynamics, even as India’s worldview remained centered on regional