<p>Rabindranath Tagore’s political philosophy presents a powerful critique of uncritical Western nationalism and colourless cosmopolitanism. He denounced the aggressive and expansionist nationalism of the West, which in his view placed the supremacy of the state above moral and spiritual values, ultimately resulting in global conflicts such as the World Wars. Tagore believed that India’s spiritual heritage, grounded in the Upanishadic ideals, made its soil unsuited for such divisive nationalist sentiments; instead, he advocated for an inclusive, ethically grounded nationalism. Equally critical of cosmopolitanism, which erases cultural distinctions, Tagore argued against a “colourless cosmopolitanism,” which he saw as detached from the richness of local identities. His concept of <i>Viśva Bodha</i> (universal consciousness) reflects his vision of a “rooted cosmopolitanism,” a worldview that embraces cultural particularity and universal humanism. This paper explores how Tagore’s rooted cosmopolitanism diverges from Martha Nussbaum’s Kantian model and engages with Isaiah Berlin’s analysis of his balanced stance between nationalism and cosmopolitanism; and it demonstrates the philosophical depth and enduring relevance of Tagore’s ideas as a framework for ethical and inclusive global thinking.</p>