| Introduction: Define strategic autonomy. Body: How can India ensure its strategic autonomy is maintained in current environment? Conclusion: Way forward. |
Strategic autonomy is the ability of a state to pursue its national interest and preferred foreign policy without being constrained by other states. It has to be formulated as per the security environment to ensure India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are maintained. India‘s NAM policy has been the root cause of its strategic autonomy.
Several strategies that can be used to ensure strategic autonomy:
- Engagement with global powers: India should actively pursue diplomacy & engage with major global powers like the US, EU, Russia, and China to prevent misunderstandings and conflict. India has to actively seek the cooperation of the US and the West to make a success of its economic reform & needed Western capital as well as technology for better access to markets. On the other hand, Delhi has to protect some of its core national interests from the threats of US intervention like the strategic nuclear program & Kashmir issue.
- Cooperation on global concerns: India can actively collaborate with major powers on global challenges such as climate change, pandemic response, poverty, hunger, and counterterrorism. Addressing these issues collectively demonstrates the responsible & global role played by India.
- Atmanirbharta or self-reliance: The policy of self-reliance is not about retreating from the world, but enhancing India’s economic contribution to the global economy. When applied to the foreign policy framework, “self-reliance” becomes “strategic autonomy”. India aims to achieve self-reliance by securing a critical supply chain, achieving competency in advanced technologies & enabling further diversification & indigenization of defence platforms.
- Multilateral forums: India should participate actively in multilateral forums like the United Nations, G20, BRICS, NAM, and ASEAN provide opportunities to collaborate with major global powers on common issues, fostering cooperation and reducing isolationist tendencies. For eg, India can engage with Global South and influence the global decision process through the reform of WTO, IMF, UNO & World Bank.
- Engaging new partners: India should diversify its engagement globally by establishing strategic partnerships with countries like France & Central Asian Republics (CAR). India and France share a common view regarding defence cooperation &strengthening of global institutions like UNO. Cooperation with CAR can help secure future energy needs & reduce dependence on the Gulf.
Conclusion:
India’s foreign policy is to be guided by realism with elements of confidence & objectivity combined with logic, reason, and clarity if we are to deal successfully with the world as it is. Today, more than ever we need to strengthen our autonomy while working with all the major powers and cooperating harmoniously with our neighbours.
