This is a time for us to engage America, manage China, cultivate Europe, reassure Russia... Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar's 2020 prose underscores the complexity of India's geopolitical aspirations. For over a decade, India's pursuit of a multipolar order has been met with increasing scrutiny.
However, the shifting global landscape has put India’s ambitions to the test. The discord with Donald Trump's administration over India's oil purchases from Russia demonstrates the challenge of maintaining relationships with multiple superpowers.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming meeting with Xi Jinping is indicative of a necessary, albeit uneasy, rapprochement between India and China. Simultaneously, India seeks to maintain its role in the US-led Indo-Pacific framework while being a part of the China and Russia-led Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
This dual approach has spurred discussions about India's strategic autonomy amid accusations of hypocrisy in foreign policy. Analysts insist that India’s hedging strategy — staying connected to both competing camps — is not a sign of weakness but a calculated move to retain leverage.
The challenge for India resurfaces as it confronts a rapidly evolving geopolitical climate characterized by US-China rivalry and Russia's growing dependency on Beijing. India continues to engage with Afghanistan while balancing its traditional alliances, highlighting both the importance and difficulty of maintaining independent diplomatic relations.
Despite a $4 trillion economy and the world's second-largest arms importer, India’s aspirations often overshadow its capabilities. This imbalance raises critical questions about its foreign policy direction and its ability to navigate complex global tensions.
As Modi prepares for discussions with both world leaders and internal critics, the question looms: Can India hold its own in an increasingly multipolar world without committing firmly to one side? India's historical approach of strategic patience may be its best course of action amidst this shifting landscape.
