Maj Gen. RPS Bhadauria for the 5th Central Asian Conference, Valdai Discussion Club
In his essay for the Valdai Discussion Club, Maj. Gen. RPS Bhadauria presents a compelling analysis of how India’s foreign policy is shaped by the principle of strategic autonomy—an approach that enables New Delhi to safeguard its sovereignty while actively engaging a divided and multipolar world. Rooted in civilizational values and a post-colonial commitment to non-alignment, this autonomy is not about disengagement but about preserving decision-making independence in an era of intensifying great power competition.
India’s multi-alignment strategy—maintaining ties with both the United States and China, and participating in forums as diverse as QUAD, BRICS, SCO, and RIC—reflects this calibrated approach. Bhadauria highlights how India has deepened its strategic partnership with the US, especially in defence and emerging technologies, without becoming a formal ally or part of any containment strategy. At the same time, India continues to engage with China and Russia through multilateral platforms, using these as avenues for dialogue and cooperation, even amid geopolitical tensions. Notably, economic sovereignty is central to this strategy. Initiatives like Make in India, the diversification of trade and energy partnerships, and the development of indigenous defence and technological capabilities are seen as tools for reducing dependency and reinforcing national power. India’s participation in multilateral institutions—from the UN to BRICS—serves both to amplify its voice in global governance and to advocate for reforms that reflect the priorities of the Global South. Bhadauria argues that India’s simultaneous engagement with seemingly contradictory blocs is not incoherence, but realism.
Each partnership serves distinct national objectives—security in the Indo-Pacific, energy and connectivity with Eurasia, and financial alternatives through BRICS. In a fractured global order, India’s pursuit of strategic autonomy positions it as a flexible, independent actor capable of advancing its interests without being bound to any singular alliance or power centre.
