C. Raja Mohan warns 1945-era narratives are being weaponised in Asia’s geopolitical contest

Foreign policy analyst C. Raja Mohan says historical narratives from 1945 are being revived to shape today’s power struggle across Asia, as reported by The Indian Express.

C. Raja Mohan, a noted Indian foreign‑policy scholar, observed that the rhetoric and strategic thinking of the post‑World War II era are resurfacing in contemporary Asian geopolitics. In his recent commentary for The Indian Express, he argued that policymakers across the region are invoking the “ghosts of 1945” to legitimize territorial claims, security alliances and economic initiatives.

He warned that such historical borrowing can distort present‑day realities, as nations selectively recall the 1945 settlement to bolster their own agendas. The analyst highlighted that the legacy of the post‑war order—particularly the balance of power established then—continues to shape debates on the Indo‑Pacific, the South China Sea and regional trade frameworks.

Mohan called for a more nuanced engagement with history, urging Asian leaders to focus on current challenges rather than relying on outdated narratives. He stressed that a forward‑looking approach is essential for stable cooperation and to avoid repeating the strategic miscalculations of the past.

The piece reflects growing concern among Indian strategists that historical myth‑making may be weaponised in diplomatic discourse, potentially heightening tensions in a region already marked by rivalry and rapid change.