Strategic autonomy has shifted from theory to practice, guiding India’s diplomacy in a multipolar world.
- It balances United States, Russia, and China ties while safeguarding sovereignty, security, and leadership amid shifting alliances.
About Strategic Autonomy
- Definition: Strategic autonomy refers to the ability of a nation to make sovereign decisions in foreign and defence policy without being constrained by alliances, external pressures, or dependence on major powers.
- Not Isolationism: It does not mean neutrality or isolation, but flexibility, independence, and engagement with multiple partners on India’s own terms.
Historical Roots of Strategic Autonomy in India
- Colonial Subjugation: The colonial experience made independence and autonomy central to India’s worldview.
- Cold War Period: Under Jawaharlal Nehru, India spearheaded the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) to avoid entanglement in the U.S.–Soviet rivalry.
- Post-1991 Era: Following economic reforms and the collapse of the Soviet Union, India shifted towards multi-alignment, engaging with the U.S., Russia, and other powers pragmatically.
- Current Era: The Narendra Modi government redefined autonomy as “multi-alignment”, actively engaging in diverse partnerships—Quad, BRICS, G20, and Global South leadership—without binding alliances.
PWOnlyIAS Extra Edge:
Evolution of Strategic Autonomy in India
- 1st Phase – Non-Alignment (1947–1961):
- Bipolar World Context: The post-war order was dominated by two power centres, the United States of America (USA) and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR).
- Non-Aligned Movement (NAM): India played a founding role in NAM in 1961, championing Third World solidarity and resisting Cold War bloc politics.
- Panchsheel Agreement (1954): Prime Minister Nehru’s Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence highlighted sovereignty, mutual respect, and non-interference.
- Preservation of Autonomy: India resisted joining military alliances, focused on economic rebuilding, and worked to consolidate its territorial integrity.
- 2nd Phase – Realism (1962–1971):
- 1962 Sino-Indian War: India’s defeat exposed security vulnerabilities and forced a shift from idealism to strategic pragmatism.
- Security Cooperation: India sought temporary defence cooperation with the USA in 1964, while continuing to retain a non-aligned posture globally.
- Pragmatic Choices: The period reflected a cautious departure from strict non-alignment, prioritising national security over ideology.
- 3rd Phase – Regional Assertion (1971–1991):
- Tilt towards USSR: Signing of the 1971 India–Soviet Treaty of Peace, Friendship and Cooperation ensured support during the Bangladesh Liberation War.
- Bangladesh War (1971): India’s intervention led to the creation of Bangladesh, establishing India as a decisive regional power.
- Pokhran-I (1974): India’s peaceful nuclear explosion was a landmark assertion of sovereignty, though it led to U.S. sanctions.
- Peacekeeping in Sri Lanka (1987): India intervened through the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) under the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord.
- Geopolitical Challenges: The creation of the U.S.–China–Pakistan axis constrained India’s regional ambitions.
- 4th Phase – Strategic Autonomy (1991–2005):
- Economic Reforms (1991): Liberalisation and high economic growth reshaped India’s strategic outlook.
- Multi-Alignment Begins: India deepened engagement with the USA, Israel, ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), while retaining Russian ties.
- Pokhran-II (1998): Nuclear tests reaffirmed India’s independent decision-making, despite sanctions.
- 2005 India–U.S. Civil Nuclear Deal: Marked a new phase of cooperation with Washington, but India maintained balanced relations with Russia and others.
- 5th Phase – Strategic Autonomy in a Multipolar World (2005–Present):
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- Multi-Alignment Approach: India moved beyond a P2 focus (USA–China) to a P5+2 approach (five permanent UNSC members & emerging powers).
- Membership in SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation), Quad, ASEAN partnerships demonstrates multi-vector diplomacy.
- Free and Open Indo-Pacific: India supports a multipolar Indo-Pacific ensuring freedom of navigation and inclusive regional order.
- Balancing Diplomacy: Simultaneous participation in RIC (Russia–India–China) and JAI (Japan–America–India) dialogues reflects flexible balancing.
- De-Hyphenation Policy: Relations with Israel and Palestine managed separately, ensuring issue-based engagement.
- Middle East Diplomacy: India expanded ties with Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Iran, and was invited to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in 2019.
- Hard Power Use: Assertive responses such as the Operation Sindoor (2025), Pulwama–Balakot airstrikes (2019) and military logistics pacts with USA, France, Singapore, Australia, South Korea enhanced credibility.
- Soft Power Tools: Initiatives like International Yoga Day, International Solar Alliance, South Asia Satellite, and SAARC COVID-19 Fund project India’s civilisational influence.
- Issue-Based Cooperation: India overlooked U.S. sanctions to procure S-400 systems from Russia, reflecting autonomy in critical defence choices.
- Economic Pragmatism: Withdrawal from Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) signalled India’s resistance to a China-led economic order.
Shifts in the Global Order:
- Bipolar World (1945–1991):
- Dominated by the USA and USSR during the Cold War.
- Characterised by ideological competition, proxy wars, and bloc politics.
- India resisted alignment while safeguarding sovereignty.
- Unipolar World (1991–2008):
- The collapse of the USSR left the USA as the sole superpower.
- U.S. interventions like Iraq (2003) and Afghanistan reflected the “global policeman” role.
- India pragmatically engaged the USA while maintaining autonomy.
- Multipolar World (2008–Present):
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- Decline of unipolarity as new powers rise.
- China’s Assertiveness: Expansion in South China Sea, Belt and Road Initiative, and clashes with India at the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
- Rise of BRICS: With nearly one-third of global GDP (Purchasing Power Parity), BRICS created New Development Bank (NDB) and Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA).
- Regional Groupings: Growth of ASEAN, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and African Union reflect diversified power centres.
- Russia’s Reassertion: Role in Syria, Crimea annexation, and closer Sino-Russian ties.
- India’s Rise: Active role in SCO, G20, Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, International Solar Alliance, SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region), and Quad.
- Fragmented Alignments:
- Ukraine War (2022–present): USA and Europe supported Ukraine; India, Brazil, and South Africa maintained neutrality, while China tilted towards Russia.
- Israel–Hamas Crisis (2023–25): USA and allies backed Israel; many Global South countries, including India, called for balance—condemning terrorism but advocating humanitarian aid and a two-state solution.
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- Contemporary Evolution:
- Post-Cold War, it shifted from non-alignment to multi-alignment.
- Today, India engages with the United States, Russia, China, Europe, and Global South simultaneously, without permanent alignment.
- Emphasises partnerships without dependency.
- Key Features:
- Independent decision-making in foreign and defence policies.
- Issue-based alignments (e.g., Quad with U.S. & allies, BRICS with Russia & China).
- Balance between rivals: engaging U.S. for tech & defence, Russia for energy, China in multilateral forums.
- Anchored in constitutional values of sovereignty, justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity.
PWOnlyIAS Extra Edge:
About Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)
- Origin: Founded in 1961 (Belgrade Conference) by Nehru (India), Tito (Yugoslavia), Nasser (Egypt), Sukarno (Indonesia), Nkrumah (Ghana).
- Emerged from the Bandung Conference (1955), guided by Panchsheel principles.
- Core Idea: Avoid block politics of the Cold War.
- Uphold sovereignty, independence, peace, disarmament, and equality.
- Objectives:
- Safeguard newly decolonised states.
- Resist colonialism, apartheid, and imperialism.
- Promote New International Economic Order (NIEO).
- Provide a voice to the Global South.
- India’s Role:
- Architect and leader under Nehru.
- Used NAM for strategic autonomy—cooperating with both superpowers without dependence.
- Championed decolonisation, disarmament, and equitable global order.
- Post-Cold War Relevance: Though weakened, NAM remains a platform for:
- Global South solidarity on climate, trade, and UN reforms.
- Resisting neo-colonialism and unilateralism.
- Supporting India’s multipolar strategic autonomy.
- Criticism:
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- Rhetorical, divided, and less effective in shaping outcomes.
- Many members drifted towards superpower alignments.
- Conclusion: NAM’s legacy of autonomy, equity, and justice still resonates. For India, it complements its strategic autonomy, enabling balanced engagement in a multipolar world.
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Why Strategic Autonomy Matters for India?
- Geopolitical Security: India faces hostile borders with China and Pakistan. Strategic autonomy allows India to modernise defence capabilities, procure technologies from multiple partners, and avoid becoming a junior partner in any alliance.
- Economic Resilience: India imports more than 80% of its crude oil and relies on global markets for trade, capital, and technology. Autonomy ensures diversified sourcing of energy and technology while advancing Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India).
- Global Leadership: India aspires to be a sovereign pole in the multipolar world order, pushing for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), leadership of the Global South, and influence on issues like climate governance, digital trade, and supply chain resilience.
- Civilisational Identity: As highlighted by the current Indian Prime Minister during India’s G20 presidency (2023), India is a symbol of hope built on democracy, diversity, and unity. Strategic autonomy allows India to share this identity with the world.
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India’s Strategic Path in a Multipolar World
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| With USA |
- Defence and Technology Partnership: India has deepened cooperation with the United States through the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), India-Israel-United Arab Emirates-United States grouping (I2U2), and the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), which collectively strengthen defence, trade, and connectivity.
- Security Cooperation: The partnership includes joint military exercises, intelligence sharing, and defence technology transfers, enabling India to modernise its forces and build interoperability with advanced militaries.
- Points of Friction: However, differences remain over U.S. tariffs on Indian goods, sanctions on Russian oil imports, and American pressure on India to align more closely with its Indo-Pacific strategy.
- India’s Approach: India pursues engagement without dependency, collaborating on shared concerns such as maritime security and counterterrorism, while maintaining freedom of action on issues like Russia, Iran, and trade policy.
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| With China |
- Border Tensions: The 2020 Galwan Valley clashes shattered the notion of stable coexistence, reinforcing China as a primary strategic threat for India.
- Trade vs Rivalry: While China remains India’s largest trading partner, the economic interdependence exists alongside deep security rivalry and mistrust.
- Strategy of Deterrence: India is strengthening border infrastructure, accelerating defence modernisation, and expanding Indo-Pacific partnerships with Japan, Australia, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to counter Chinese assertiveness.
- Strategy of Engagement: At the same time, India continues dialogue with China in Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa (BRICS) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to manage competition and avoid uncontrolled escalation.
- Strategic Autonomy: India’s approach balances rivalry with selective engagement, ensuring it neither succumbs to Chinese pressure nor indulges in reckless confrontation.
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| With Russia |
- Historical Partnership: India-Russia ties are rooted in Cold War solidarity, with long-standing cooperation in defence, energy, nuclear, and space sectors.
- Balancing Global Isolation: Despite Russia’s global isolation after the Ukraine war, India has continued oil imports and arms purchases, reflecting pragmatic national interest while drawing Western criticism.
- Diversification Strategy: At the same time, India has diversified by acquiring defence platforms from France, the United States, and investing in indigenous defence production under Atmanirbhar Bharat.
- Strategic Autonomy: This approach allows India to retain historical ties with Russia while also broadening partnerships to reduce overdependence.
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| With the Global South and Multilateral Forums |
- Voice of the Global South: India projected itself as the voice of the developing world during its Group of Twenty (G20) presidency in 2023, highlighting issues of debt relief, climate finance, and digital inclusion.
- Principle of National Interest: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasised that India’s partnerships are shaped by national interests and not inherited Cold War-era alignments, reinforcing strategic autonomy.
- Multilateral Leadership: India actively shapes forums such as Group of Twenty (G20), Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa (BRICS), Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), International Solar Alliance (ISA), and Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) to give middle powers and rising economies a greater global role.
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Challenges to Strategic Autonomy
- China’s Assertiveness: Continued tensions at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and Indo-Pacific competition test India’s ability to deter Beijing while avoiding escalation.
- Russia–West Divide: The Ukraine war forces India to navigate between its historic dependence on Russian defence and energy and Western expectations for alignment.
- United States’ Demands: Washington’s push for India to fully integrate into its Indo-Pacific strategy can undermine India’s room for manoeuvre if not balanced carefully.
- Technology Dependence: India relies heavily on imports of semiconductors, Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems, and digital infrastructure, leaving it vulnerable to supply disruptions.
- Multipolar Instability: A fragmented world order with shifting coalitions creates uncertainty in long-term partnerships, requiring constant recalibration.
- Domestic Vulnerabilities: Political polarisation, institutional gaps, and economic inequalities reduce India’s capacity to act autonomously.
- New Domains: Autonomy must extend to cybersecurity, AI warfare, outer space competition, and supply chain resilience, which are emerging as arenas of global contestation.
Global Comparisons
- European Union (EU): Advocates “strategic autonomy” in defence and technology to reduce over-dependence on both the United States and China.
- Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN): Pursues “centrality”—a principle of balancing relations with great powers without binding alliances.
- Brazil and South Africa: Middle powers that emphasise an independent voice for the Global South, resisting bloc politics and prioritising regional peace and development.
Way Forward
- Strengthen Domestic Foundations: India must reinforce its economic growth, defence manufacturing, digital sovereignty, and critical mineral access, ensuring autonomy rests on internal strength.
- Diversify Partnerships: Move beyond dependence on the U.S.–Russia–China triangle by building deeper ties with Africa, Latin America, ASEAN, and Europe.
- Reform Multilateralism: Lead initiatives for UNSC expansion, fairer World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, and climate finance justice to give emerging economies more agency.
- Shape Global Norms: India should lead in setting standards on cybersecurity, AI governance, outer space law, and data flows, shaping new global rules.
- Balance Realism with Values: India must combine pragmatic realpolitik with its commitment to democracy, pluralism, and a rule-based international order, ensuring credibility in the global arena.
Conclusion
Strategic autonomy enables India to engage major powers on equal terms, while safeguarding sovereignty, justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity, positioning itself as a sovereign pole of stability and inclusive global leadership.
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