Strategic Autonomy: India’s Guiding Principle in Foreign Policy

(General Studies II – International Relations Section – Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India’s interests, Indian Diaspora.)

• Strategic autonomy has been a cornerstone of India’s foreign policy since independence. This principle allows India to make decisions based on its national interests, free from external pressures or alliances.
• In the current global landscape, marked by shifting power dynamics and increasing great power competition, India’s commitment to strategic autonomy has come under scrutiny, particularly in light of its stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Recent events have highlighted the challenges India faces in maintaining its strategic autonomy –

1. Russia-Ukraine Conflict: India’s refusal to condemn Russia’s actions and its continued economic engagement with Moscow has led to tensions with Western partners, particularly the United States.
2. US Pressure: American officials, including Ambassador Eric Garcetti, have questioned the viability of strategic autonomy during times of crisis, suggesting that India needs to align more closely with the West.
3. Balancing Act: India is navigating a complex geopolitical landscape, maintaining ties with Russia while strengthening partnerships with the US and other Western nations.
4. Energy Security: India’s increased oil imports from Russia, driven by economic considerations, have been a point of contention with Western allies.
5. defence Dependence: India’s historical reliance on Russian military equipment (over 40% of defence imports) necessitates ongoing engagement with Moscow.

India’s approach to strategic autonomy has evolved over time –

1. Non-Alignment: Under Jawaharlal Nehru, India adopted non-alignment as a way to maintain independence from Cold War power blocs while advocating for newly decolonized nations.
2. Tilt towards USSR: In the 1970s and 1980s, India moved closer to the Soviet Union in response to US-Pakistan ties and China’s alignment with the US.
3. Post-Cold War Realignment: After 1991, India diversified its partnerships, engaging more with the West while maintaining ties with Russia.
4. Multi-Alignment: In the 21st century, India has pursued a policy of multi-alignment, engaging with multiple power centres to maximize its strategic interests.
   

Necessity of Strategic Autonomy for India –

1. Geopolitical Flexibility: Allows India to navigate complex global issues without being constrained by alliance obligations as seen in recent conflicts between Israel- Palestine and Russia- Ukraine or the tensions between Iran-Iraq.
2. Economic Interests: Enables pursuit of economic partnerships based on national interest rather than ideological alignment. India has a trade of $ 138 billion with China.
3. Regional Stability: Helps India maintain a balanced approach in its neighbourhood, particularly in dealing with China and Pakistan.
4. Energy Security: Permits diversification of energy sources, crucial for India’s growing economy. India needs nuclear partnership with USA and Russia while for critical minerals it needs to maintain status quo with China.
5. Defence Modernization: Allows India to source military equipment from various countries, reducing dependence on any single supplier.
6. Global South Leadership: It positions India as a voice for developing nations in international forums.
7. Diplomatic Leverage: Enhances India’s ability to act as a mediator in global conflicts.

Challenges to Strategic Autonomy –

1. Great Power Pressure: Increasing expectations from partners like the US to align on global issues.
2. Economic Interdependence: Growing economic ties may limit policy options in certain scenarios.
3. Technological Dependencies: Reliance on foreign technologies in critical sectors could impact decision-making.
4. Regional Security Dynamics: Balancing relationships with countries like China, Pakistan, and Afghanistan requires careful diplomacy.

India’s strategic autonomy represents a positive-sum approach to foreign policy, not a zero-sum game. It allows India to engage constructively with multiple power centres while supporting a multilateral global order. Western partners should recognize that India’s non-aligned stance doesn’t equate to being unfriendly; rather, it reflects a nuanced understanding of the emerging multipolar world order. In this post-unipolar era, India’s strategic autonomy enables it to be a responsible global player, balancing diverse interests for mutual benefit.