A great power has strategic autonomy only when it can influence things anywhere in the world and also if it can take care of its sovereignty by itself. India does not enjoy this status
26 February, 2025: “US, China, and Russia have strategic autonomy and by definition, a great power has strategic autonomy only when it can influence things anywhere in the world as well as take care of its sovereignty by itself. India does not enjoy this status. Therefore, in my opinion, India does not have strategic autonomy. It can be part of its rehtoric but that is not the truth” stated Pravin Sawhney, Editor of Force newsmagazine, while talking to Mr. Murtaza Solangi and Syed Mohammad Ali on a podcast at the ‘We News’ Channel.
Commenting upon the US Foreign Policy after Mr. Trump assumed office, he said that “Since 2020 Modi government in India has invested a lot in the US and because of that, its stakes are really high. So now, India is worried because the government’s position is that in competition with China, which is our neighbour. We focused more on having good relations with the US.” Additionally, he added “According to Jay Shankar, India’s External Affairs Minister, both India and China are rising. But in my opinion, one should be clear that they are rising relatively and not at par with each other and now in the last two weeks, the President of US has plunged the world into turmoil and a lot of policies have become irrelevant. So resultantly, India is feeling concerned.”
India and US relations are important but Trump’s priority is to Make America Great Again (MAGA)
Discussing US foreign policy, he said that “India and US relations are important but Trump’s priority is to Make America Great Again (MAGA). Granted that the Indian market for emerging technologies makes it attractive for the US, but that does not translate to mean that all policies of India will be supported by the US.” Mr Sawhney also stated that “In my opinion, Foreign policy is framed by focusing on geographical influence, military might and economic stability. Granted the rise of China and the policy shift of Russia towards East makes India important in the geopolitical theatre since AsiaPacific is the arena for great power contestations because this is where commercial trade takes place. However, it is also true that whoever offers good security framework for 4 trillion trade in the commercial sea channel of the Indian Ocean will be preferred by the US. China alone has 1 trillion worth of trade on this sea route. Russians are also exploring how to make this trade route secure. Therefore, the Indian forces’ ability to protect the trade route and thus be the military bulwark for US is what makes US consider it as an ally simultaneously making it an opportune foreign policy ploy for India.”
By Indian Prime Minister’s own admission 80 Crore of its people are below the poverty line which means that we are a poor country
“The fact that the US has withdrawn means that it is not right now a priority for US. Therefore, India should take a fresh look at its foreign policy. Right now, India’s domestic policy is also to be considered. By Indian Prime Minister’s own admission 80 Crore of its people are below the poverty line which means that we are a poor country. Therefore, our foreign policy should focus on how to make the lives of these 80 Crore people better and for this reason we will then have to consider China as our geopolitical opportunity although we have a history of being at war with China and Pakistan.”
India and Pakistan have to move away from zero sum game because only then can we all move towards an economically stable South Asia
He opined that “I, therefore, see BRICS as India’s opportunity and only peace in South Asia can ensure prosperity for all of us. Therefore, India and Pakistan have to move away from zero sum game because only then can we all move towards an economically stable South Asia. Right now, even a cricket match is perceived not as a game but a chance to score points against each other and of course Kashmir issue demands resolution too and that can only happen with both countries having their focus on resolving conflicts amongst themselves. Therefore, India’s focus should be to invest in regional peace as a Global South country.”
Global South is gravitating towards Russia and China because they have strategic autonomy
He also stated that “Global South is gravitating towards Russia and China because they have strategic autonomy. The threat of Trump imposing 100 percent Tariff on countries who carry out de-dollarization is there but at the same time, Trump’s economic team must be talking to the Chinese economic team because China cannot be ignored when it comes to trade. Out of 193 nations, 140 of the primary trading countries are China’s trading partners, while 135 are on board the Belt and Road initiative. China provides 30 per cent of the global manufacturing and according to Wang Yi, Finance Minister of China, China is providing 30 per cent of the total global economy. Therefore, it will be a loss for USA and not China. In reality, there is no way that BRICS will stop and as founding member of BRICS, India can prove to be the single most important factor that will stabilize the world’s economy as a center piece of the global economy.”
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