To what extent is strategic autonomy viable for India in a globalised world? Discuss India’s evolving relationship with the U.S. Examine the tensions between alignment and self-reliance.
Kartavya Desk Staff
Topic: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests
Topic: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests
Q4. To what extent is strategic autonomy viable for India in a globalised world? Discuss India’s evolving relationship with the U.S. Examine the tensions between alignment and self-reliance. (15 M)
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: TH
Why the question: U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest announcement to impose a 10% tariff on BRICS nations, alongside a potential 200% levy on pharmaceutical imports, signals a dramatic shift in how the world’s largest economy seeks to wield its influence. Key Demand of the question: The question requires you to assess the practicality of strategic autonomy today, trace India’s changing bilateral dynamics with the U.S., and evaluate the frictions between global alignment and national self-reliance. Structure of the Answer: Introduction: Briefly define strategic autonomy and its evolution in India’s foreign policy, with a contextual link to today’s interdependent global order. Body: Viability of strategic autonomy: Assess its limits in tech, defence, trade, and multilateral diplomacy. Evolving India-U.S. relationship: Trace growing convergence and structured partnerships across sectors. Tensions between alignment and self-reliance: Highlight clashes in defence imports, data laws, nationalist narratives, and dependency gaps. Conclusion: Conclude with the idea that autonomy now means flexibility, not isolation, and India must pragmatically shape partnerships while investing in internal capacities.
Why the question: U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest announcement to impose a 10% tariff on BRICS nations, alongside a potential 200% levy on pharmaceutical imports, signals a dramatic shift in how the world’s largest economy seeks to wield its influence.
Key Demand of the question: The question requires you to assess the practicality of strategic autonomy today, trace India’s changing bilateral dynamics with the U.S., and evaluate the frictions between global alignment and national self-reliance.
Structure of the Answer:
Introduction: Briefly define strategic autonomy and its evolution in India’s foreign policy, with a contextual link to today’s interdependent global order.
• Viability of strategic autonomy: Assess its limits in tech, defence, trade, and multilateral diplomacy.
• Evolving India-U.S. relationship: Trace growing convergence and structured partnerships across sectors.
• Tensions between alignment and self-reliance: Highlight clashes in defence imports, data laws, nationalist narratives, and dependency gaps.
Conclusion: Conclude with the idea that autonomy now means flexibility, not isolation, and India must pragmatically shape partnerships while investing in internal capacities.