India is facing a turbulent geopolitical landscape. Shifting alliances, regional power plays, and the revival of great power competition are reshaping the environment around us. In this evolving game, clarity is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. We must confront a sobering truth: in the ruthless world of geopolitics, loyalty is a mirage; interests reign supreme.
India’s survival and strategic relevance demand a recalibration of our worldview. Strategic autonomy is not just a catchphrase; it is a fundamental principle of governance. It is the foundation of our foreign policy and national security. The more dependent we are on other nations for defence, trade, or diplomatic support, the more exposed we are to pressure and manipulation.
The Myth of Global Sympathies
India must break free from its illusions—particularly the self-congratulatory idea of being a “Vishwaguru.” The harsh truth is that global powers don’t view our struggles, especially those involving Pakistan, with the same gravity that we do. To the world, cross-border terrorism is seen as a bilateral nuisance, not a global crisis. This apathy is evident in the muted international response to our calls for justice.
We should stop expecting sympathy and start wielding leverage. Power is the only language that resonates. Countries respect influence, not rhetoric. If we want to shape outcomes, we must first build the capacity to do so.
Moreover, we must work towards changing the perception of our security concerns from being regional irritants to being part of the global security discourse. This calls for consistent diplomacy, storytelling, and information warfare—areas where we need significant improvement. India must recognise the value of perception management in global geopolitics.
America: Ally or Opportunist?
The United States, for all its overtures, remains an unpredictable partner. Washington will pursue its interests—even if that means cosying up to Pakistan when convenient. The possibility of the U.S. using Pakistani airfields for strikes on Iran is not far-fetched. Nor can we rule out tacit American complicity in enabling Pakistan to act against Indian interests when it suits broader U.S. strategic goals.
President Trump’s chaotic diplomacy, from botching trade negotiations with China to failing at the Russia-Ukraine peace talks, has highlighted the volatility of U.S. foreign policy. His attempts to simultaneously broker peace between India and Pakistan while negotiating trade deals with both reveal a transactional mindset. India must learn to say “no” when required and to stand firm.
India must also be alert to the dual-track diplomacy the U.S. conducts, where official policy may diverge from what is expressed in public forums. Recognising this nuance and building back-channel networks and alternative channels of communication can help India stay ahead in this high-stakes game.
A Hard-Nosed Realism
It’s time for blunt realism. We are not the centre of the world. Our challenges are not automatically global priorities. We must dispel the notion that the world owes us support or recognition. We must earn it.
India’s military victories, economic progress, and political maturity are remarkable. However, in the corridors of global power, we remain, at best, a regional player with potential, rather than an international heavyweight. That may sound harsh, but understanding this is key to recalibrating our approach.
Being self-aware is the first step toward being an effective individual. It’s time we learn from the assertive realism of nations like China, which do not wait for acknowledgement but impose their interests through economic and military means.
A Time for Strategy, Not Sentiment
In geopolitics, emotion is a liability. Strategy must prevail. The U.S. foreign policy machine does not operate on sentiment. It utilises other nations to advance its agenda and discards them when they are no longer in use. This is not betrayal—it’s business as usual.
Henry Kissinger once said, “America has no permanent friends or enemies, only interests.” That principle remains at the heart of U.S. statecraft. India must embrace a similar realism. This isn’t about becoming cynical; it’s about being prepared.
Strategic patience, long-term planning, and multilevel engagement need to become standard tools in our diplomatic toolkit. To compete with the best, we must think like the best.
Reading Between the Lines
Consider the U.S. inviting Pakistani military chief Munir under the guise of a ceremonial gesture. It may be a diplomatic cover to twist his arm—to push Pakistan to crack down on jihadist elements, take responsibility for nuclear safety, and perhaps even coerce a regime shift. The carrot? Economic aid, weapons, and strategic support.
None of this should surprise us. The United States has a long history of such back-channel manoeuvring. What should concern us is not their methods, but our preparedness.
India must have contingency plans for every possible scenario. Whether it’s a surprise U.S.-Pakistan rapprochement or a new axis involving China, Russia, and Iran, our national strategy must remain agile and deeply informed.
The Role of India: Player or Pawn?
India must decide whether to be a player or a pawn. We can continue playing catch-up in diplomacy, or we can start playing offence. That means investing in influence. Economic clout, technological advancement, military readiness, and robust alliances are our fundamental tools, not hollow speeches or moral posturing.
A master strategist doesn’t reveal his hand too early. He plays the long game. India must adopt a similar mindset. It’s time for quiet diplomacy, strategic partnerships, and carefully calculated moves. Less talk, more action.
Learning from History
During the era of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), India successfully navigated a delicate balance between the superpowers. Our leaders built strong bilateral relationships while fiercely guarding our independence. We need a return to that model.
Our diplomacy must shift from lecturing to listening, from preaching to partnering. Friends matter. Relationships matter. A solitary nation, no matter how large, cannot thrive in a world defined by blocs and alliances.
We must also invest in regional leadership through soft power—education, technology sharing, and infrastructure development. Leading by example in our neighbourhood can yield long-term benefits.
The Indo-Pacific Challenge
With China expanding its influence across the Indo-Pacific and the U.S. reasserting its presence, the region is a chessboard of clashing interests. India cannot afford to be a passive observer. We must build our maritime strength, deepen ties with ASEAN, Japan, Australia, and the European Union, and maintain a credible deterrence against aggression.
Our regional dominance will not come from declarations but from deeds. We must build what we need: indigenous defence manufacturing, resilient supply chains, and credible cyber and space capabilities.
India must also strengthen regional forums, such as the BIMSTEC and IORA, by transforming them into effective platforms for security cooperation and economic integration. Regional security can no longer be an afterthought; it must become a core pillar of our national security and foreign policy.
Conclusion: Time for a Reset
India is at a crossroads. The road ahead demands clarity, courage, and commitment. Strategic autonomy must remain our north star. We should avoid overly relying on the West or succumbing to false equivalencies.
Power respects power. Influence earns respect. The world is watching. Will India continue reacting to global events, or will we finally begin shaping them?
Let’s not wait for validation. Let’s create leverage.
Let’s stop preaching. Let’s start building.
Let’s not play second fiddle. Let’s set the tempo.
India must act—not later, but now.
The game is on. It’s our move.