Navigating a Multipolar World: India's Strategic Autonomy in the Face of US Protectionism
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: International Relations (India's foreign policy doctrines - Strategic Autonomy, Non-alignment; Groupings - Quad, SCO, BRICS); Indian Economy (International Trade, Tariffs, Protectionism).
Mains:
General Studies Paper 2 (International Relations): India and its neighborhood- relations; Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India; Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests. This is a quintessential GS2 topic.
Key Highlights from the News
America's high tariffs and protectionism policies pose new challenges for countries like India.
In this new global scenario, the concept of Strategic Autonomy, which is the cornerstone of India's foreign policy, holds great importance.
Strategic Autonomy means a country's ability to engage with all major powers (US, China, Russia) simultaneously, according to its national interests, without siding with any particular power.
Examples include India maintaining energy and defense ties with Russia despite US pressure, resuming dialogues with China, and participating in groups like Quad.
Behind America's protectionist policies are domestic politics and the aim to curb China's growth.
Articles argue that for India's foreign policy to succeed, the country must strengthen itself economically and technologically domestically.
India should use this opportunity to become the voice of the Global South (group of developing countries) and advocate for a multipolarity world order.
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