(iPoster) Walking a Tightrope: India’s Commitment to Strategic Autonomy

• In Event: Poster Session: Strategic Decision-Making in Global Security & International Relations Theory
  In Poster Session: Poster Session: Strategic Decision-Making in Global Security

Abstract

India’s strategy has been to avoid committing to any formal alliance. It has developed a strong strategic partnership with the Soviet Union which has survived with Russia. However, it has never pretended to be an exclusive partner and kept seeking other partnerships actively. While a proud defender of non-alignment during the Cold War, India has now adopted a hedging approach. Hedging gives access to opportunities that would otherwise contradict a clear alignment. It also allows India to maximize its strategic autonomy without creating an important threat to its security. How does India maintain such a strong tradition of strategic autonomy without creating adversarial consequences? Hedging requires diplomatic skills to avoid ostracizing competing partners and demands a minimum of deterrence capabilities to avoid retaliation from disgruntled partners. India built on its tradition of non-alignment to advocate its strategic autonomy on the international stage while building a strong regional sphere of influence. India’s diplomacy has been efficient at mitigating the risk of creating conflicts with its strategic partners. India dominates South Asia but still requires strategic partnerships with other major powers such as Russia and the United States to deter Pakistan and China which pose a significant threat to its borders.

Author

• Louis-Philippe Morneau, Concordia University