Strategic Autonomy in India's Foreign Policy: Balancing Act or Rigid Diplomacy?

Summary Box: India's strategic autonomy has evolved from non-alignment to multi-alignment, with the country attempting to balance its relations with the United States, Russia, and China. The concept of strategic autonomy is crucial in understanding India's foreign policy, but its implementation has been marred by criticisms of rigid diplomacy and loss of influence globally.

What is Strategic Autonomy?

Strategic autonomy is a nation's or bloc's ability to make sovereign decisions, pursue national interests, and adopt independent foreign policies without relying heavily on or being constrained by other foreign states. It prioritizes flexibility and independence in foreign policy and defense, enabling engagement with multiple powers on its own terms. Former foreign secretary Shyam Saran defined strategic autonomy as "the capacity of a state to take relatively autonomous decisions on matters of vital interest." The words "vital" and "relatively" are important because "not all interests are of a vital nature, and in a multi-state landscape, one cannot ascribe absolute value to every interest."

India's Strategic Autonomy: Strengths and Limitations

India's strategic autonomy has been a subject of debate, with some critics arguing that it has resulted in rigid diplomacy and no big-power friends. Others maintain that while India has resisted the bigger powers, it no longer voices criticisms of them on behalf of others, thereby losing influence globally. Supporters of India's diplomacy argue that it wisely practises "multi-alignment," which means balanced relations with bigger powers and not giving offence to them except when its security and welfare are directly threatened.

Defying Bigger Powers: India's Record

China has made three key demands on India, historically — abide by the One China policy (stop sheltering the Dalai Lama and Tibetans, no recognition of Taiwan); settle the border by conceding Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh; and reject a US-led containment structure in Asia. In sum, India has shown a willingness to defy bigger powers, though its record is not perfect.

Defence Indigenisation, Energy Security, and Technology Sovereignty

Defence indigenisation, energy security, and technology sovereignty are crucial in strengthening India's strategic autonomy. India has made significant progress in defence indigenisation, with the government setting a target of achieving 100% indigenous production of defence equipment by 2025. The country has also made significant strides in energy security, with the government aiming to increase the share of renewable energy in the energy mix to 40% by 2030. Technology sovereignty is another key area, with India aiming to become a major player in the global technology landscape.

Way Forward

To strengthen its strategic autonomy, India should adopt the following measures:

• ▸Enhance defence indigenisation by increasing public-private partnerships and investing in research and development.
• ▸Increase energy security by promoting renewable energy and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
• ▸Enhance technology sovereignty by investing in research and development and promoting domestic technology companies.
• ▸Engage with multiple powers on its own terms, without compromising on its vital interests.
• ▸Maintain a balanced approach to its relations with bigger powers, without giving offence to them except when its security and welfare are directly threatened.

CATEGORY: geo-politics TAGS: strategic-autonomy, foreign-policy, defence-indigenisation, energy-security, technology-sovereignty, india-us, india-russia, india-china SOURCE: The Hindu