Topic: Introduction and Evolution of India’s Foreign Policy
Q4. “Strategic autonomy in the 21st century lies not in isolation, but in diversification”. Substantiate this in the context of India’s engagements with major powers. (15 M)
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: InsightsIAS
Why the question:
India’s evolving foreign policy emphasizes strategic diversification rather than isolation in an era of multipolarity, technology interdependence, and shifting power alignments among major nations.Key Demand of the question:
The question demands an explanation of how the concept of strategic autonomy has transformed from non-alignment to diversified engagement, and how India’s relations with major powers like the U.S., Russia, EU, Japan, and others substantiate this modern interpretation.Structure of the Answer:
Introduction:Define strategic autonomy in the 21st century and briefly contrast it with earlier non-alignment.
Body:
- Explain how strategic autonomy today lies in diversification, not isolation — covering interdependence, resilience, and flexibility.
- Substantiate through India’s major power engagements (U.S., Russia, EU, Japan, Middle East, China), highlighting balanced partnerships and autonomy in decision-making.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a forward-looking remark on how diversification strengthens India’s global agency and strategic sovereignty.
