Why India Is Rethinking Its Strategy In Changing Geopolitics?

Ambassador Kanwal Sibal highlighted how the international balance of power has shifted eastward with China’s rapid rise. He argued that Trump’s policies have disrupted global alliances, forcing India to defend its “strategic autonomy” while navigating strained ties with both Washington and Beijing.

On the U.S., Kanwal Sibal downplayed Trump’s softer remarks towards Prime Minister Modi, noting they were more tactical than genuine. He criticized Trump’s aides, particularly Peter Navarro, for inflammatory language and stressed that India must resist being treated as a pawn in larger U.S.-Russia tensions.

Regarding China, he cautioned against overreliance but acknowledged that trade dependencies make cautious engagement unavoidable. While border disputes and China’s support for Pakistan remain sticking points, Kanwal Sibal noted that economic ties compel India to keep channels open.

He concluded that India’s path lies in balancing multipolarity, preserving independence, and ensuring that neither the U.S. nor China dictates terms in Asia.

Bottomline by Barkha: The world order is in flux, and India must carefully recalibrate to protect its interests. As Kanwal Sibal put it, “We live in interesting times, where strategic autonomy is our only true strength.”