India’s ‘non-West, not anti-West’ approach: how New Delhi balances ties amid tensions

As geopolitical tensions rise, India’s diplomatic strategy showcases its emergence as a key player in the shifting global order

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends a concert with China’s Xi Jinping and Russia’s Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of last month’s Brics summit in Russia. Photo: Brics-Russia2024.ru via Reuters

Published: 11:32am, 4 Nov 2024

In a world increasingly shaped by geopolitical rivalries, India’s evolving foreign policy reflects its pursuit of “strategic autonomy”, observers say, as New Delhi hardens its stance towards the West and forges closer ties with Asian powers, including rival China.

This dynamic is playing out against a backdrop of tensions with the United States over the Russia-Ukraine war and escalating disputes with Canada regarding Sikh separatist leaders. At the same time, Delhi is strengthening its ties with Moscow while navigating a complex relationship with Beijing.

Instead of distancing itself from the West, analysts say India is adeptly balancing its relationships with both Western and Asian countries to enhance its economic and geopolitical standing.

The South Asian nation’s historical reliance on foreign partnerships for domestic growth has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent decades, said Professor Sreeradha Datta from the Jindal School of International Affairs

“From the 1970s to 2024 there is a huge difference in terms of capacity India has built for itself,” she said. “Now, everybody is focusing on the Indo-Pacific and Bay of Bengal.”

With a growing economy valued at US$3 trillion, India is now better positioned to assert its influence more effectively, Datta said. “It can certainly ‘walk the talk’ better on the global stage,” she added.