India's Strategic Autonomy: US, Russia, Kashmir, Ukraine

Understanding India's Strategic Autonomy

Strategic autonomy refers to the capacity of a state or political entity to make decisions and take action in key areas—particularly defense, foreign policy, and critical technologies—without excessive reliance on external actors. It implies a degree of self-sufficiency that allows for independent strategic judgment and action. India's pursuit of strategic autonomy is rooted in its historical experience of non-alignment during the Cold War and its aspiration to be a leading power rather than a balancing power in global affairs.

Rejection of US Mediation on Kashmir Issue

India's consistent rejection of third-party mediation on the Kashmir issue, particularly from the United States, is a prime example of its strategic autonomy in action. The Indian government has firmly maintained that all issues with Pakistan, including Kashmir, are bilateral matters to be resolved solely between the two nations, as per the Shimla Agreement of 1972 and the Lahore Declaration of 1999.

• Historical Context: India's stance against external mediation on Kashmir dates back decades, driven by concerns over internationalization of a sensitive bilateral issue and potential infringements on its sovereignty.
• Recent Instances: In June 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated this position in a phone call with then-US President Donald Trump, clarifying that there was no discussion of US mediation in the India-Pakistan ceasefire and emphasizing India's consistent policy of bilateral resolution.
• Rationale: This rejection underscores India's commitment to protecting its sovereign decision-making authority over its territorial integrity and internal affairs, signaling that even its closest strategic partners cannot dictate terms on such core national interests.

Refusal to Criticize Russia in the Ukraine War

India's cautious and non-condemnatory stance towards Russia in the ongoing war against Ukraine further illustrates its adherence to strategic autonomy. Despite significant pressure from Western nations, India has refrained from explicitly criticizing Russia and has repeatedly abstained from UN resolutions condemning Moscow's actions.

• Balancing Act: India's approach reflects a delicate balancing act between its historical strategic partnership with Russia and its growing ties with the Western world, particularly the United States.
• Energy and Defence Dependence: Russia remains a crucial partner for India in several strategic sectors:
  • Defence: Russia has historically been India's largest arms supplier, providing critical military hardware, spare parts, and technology. This dependence is particularly significant amidst ongoing border tensions with China.
  • Energy: India has significantly increased its imports of discounted Russian crude oil since the conflict began, leveraging this opportunity to manage its energy security and mitigate inflationary pressures. Bilateral trade between India and Russia reached a record high of $39.8 billion in 2022-23, largely driven by increased petroleum imports.
• Multipolar Worldview: India advocates for a multipolar global order and believes that isolating any major power could destabilize international relations further. Its nuanced position aims to preserve its relationships across the geopolitical spectrum.
• Focus on Diplomacy: India has consistently called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomacy between Russia and Ukraine. Prime Minister Modi has engaged with both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, urging negotiations.

Challenges and Opportunities for Strategic Autonomy

While strategic autonomy offers India flexibility, it also presents challenges in an increasingly interconnected and polarized world.

Opportunities	Challenges
Enhanced Leverage: India's ability to engage with multiple powers enhances its diplomatic leverage and strengthens its position as a "swing state" in global geopolitics.	Balancing Act Strain: Maintaining equilibrium between competing great powers can lead to diplomatic strains, particularly with Western allies expecting greater alignment.
Diversified Partnerships: Allows India to forge partnerships across various domains (defense, technology, trade) with different countries, reducing over-reliance on any single nation.	Pressure from Blocs: Major power blocs may exert pressure, including sanctions or trade restrictions, to compel India to align with their positions.
Promotion of Multipolarity: Reinforces India's vision of a multipolar world order, where multiple centers of power contribute to global stability.	Resource Intensive: Building indigenous capabilities in defense and technology to support strategic autonomy requires significant investment and time.
National Interest Prioritization: Enables India to prioritize its core national interests, such as energy security, economic growth, and defense preparedness.	Reputational Risks: A perceived lack of clear alignment might sometimes lead to questions about India's reliability as a partner in certain international circles.

Recent Demonstrations of Strategic Autonomy

• Quad and BRICS: India actively participates in the Quad (with US, Japan, Australia) for Indo-Pacific security while simultaneously strengthening its role in BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) for economic and geopolitical cooperation, demonstrating its "multi-alignment" strategy.
• "Make in India" in Defence: India is pushing for indigenous defense manufacturing under initiatives like 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' to reduce its reliance on foreign military imports and enhance its strategic autonomy in defense. For instance, the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 prioritizes Indian-made equipment.
• Global South Leadership: India has positioned itself as a voice for the Global South, hosting summits and advocating for the concerns of developing countries on international platforms, thereby carving out an independent leadership role.