By Girish Linganna
Over the last ten years, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has transformed the nation’s foreign policy by departing from the traditional stance of nonalignment, which historically prevented India from taking definitive positions in international matters. Modi has introduced a more adaptive strategy known as “multi-alignment”, enabling India to engage with various nations according to its own interests rather than adhering to a fixed ideology. This approach allows India to fortify relationships with multiple global powers, collaborate on trade, security, technology, and make autonomous decisions that serve the national interest. In doing so, India has emerged as a pivotal player on the world stage while prioritizing its strategic and economic objectives.
During his recent trip to Washington to meet U.S. President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Modi observed how Trump was implementing his own version of multi-alignment. Unlike his predecessors, who emphasized strong commitments to traditional European allies, Trump was exploring a different path.
He sought to reduce U.S. obligations to Europe, strengthen relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and engage openly with Chinese President Xi Jinping. This represented a significant departure from the established international order upheld by the United States and its Western partners. Instead, Trump’s strategy is more adaptable and unpredictable, shaping America’s role in global affairs.
Trump’s “America First” policy prioritizes one-on-one agreements with other nations to safeguard U.S. interests. If successful, this flexible partnership approach could become a new norm among major global powers, supplanting conventional alliances in international relations.
By bolstering ties with the U.S. more than ever, Modi has strayed from a core, though implicit, principle of India’s historical nonalignment—maintaining political distance from the U.S. in global and regional issues.
Concurrently, Modi has sustained India’s enduring partnership with Russia while keeping diplomatic lines open with China. This balancing act is complicated by ongoing border disputes and India’s increasing trade deficit with China, but Modi’s aim is to navigate relations with both nations while preserving India’s strategic interests.
Under Modi’s leadership, India has shifted from a historically indifferent stance toward Europe, actively fostering relationships with key countries such as France, Germany, and Italy, as well as the European Union in Brussels. The U.S. undeniably plays a vital role in India’s multi-alignment strategy. Strategic officials in New Delhi understand the importance of partnering with Washington to enhance India’s economic, technological, and military development.
However, they also acknowledge the necessity for India to maintain the autonomy to make its own choices without becoming overly reliant on any one major power. This independence is crucial as global interests and alliances evolve over time; too close an alignment with any single country could constrain India’s ability to act in its own best interests when circumstances shift.
As Trump openly questioned the significance of alliances and critiqued some of America’s long-standing partners, India’s cautious strategy has proven wise. By avoiding excessive dependence on one country, India positions itself to adapt to changing global dynamics and protect its own interests, regardless of who occupies the White House.
Recognizing the political shifts occurring in Washington, New Delhi swiftly organized an early meeting between Modi and Trump. The objective was to strengthen U.S. ties and ensure that India’s most crucial international relationship remained stable despite evolving political conditions. Understanding that illegal immigration and tariffs were pressing concerns for the new U.S. administration, the Modi government acted swiftly to address both issues.
The Indian government committed to repatriating undocumented migrants from the U.S. and accelerated discussions for a trade agreement. Earlier in February, India had already opted to lower certain tariffs, including those on cars and luxury motorcycles, benefitting American manufacturers. These measures were taken to enhance trade relations with the U.S. while addressing key concerns for Washington.
India is also exploring the purchase of increased energy supplies from the U.S., including oil, natural gas, and civilian nuclear reactors, to strengthen its energy security and trade relations. Moreover, Trump urged India to acquire more American defense equipment, to which Modi agreed to finalize ongoing defense transactions. In return, Trump committed to reassessing existing limitations on defense cooperation and exports to India.
Beyond defense, both leaders agreed to bolster collaboration on advanced and emerging technologies, continuing the momentum established under the Biden administration. Given previous discrepancies between commitments and outcomes, both countries are keen to ensure tangible progress before Trump’s anticipated visit to New Delhi later this year for the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue summit, aiming to showcase concrete achievements rather than mere promises.
Concerns arose in India that Trump might inadvertently embarrass Modi during the meeting, but the U.S. president instead demonstrated a positive and amicable approach, reflecting goodwill toward India. While India is not a formal U.S. ally or heavily reliant on American support, it is regarded as a strong and independent partner, affording India greater flexibility in its dealings with Washington compared to many of America’s traditional allies.
This may be attributed to Trump’s tendency to respect strong leaders, even those who may be rivals, more than he respects the leaders of European and Asian allies, whom he often perceives as weaker or overly dependent on U.S. support. Consequently, India appears to be in a stronger position than many other significant nations to navigate the changes Trump is implementing to the global order established since 1945. India’s independent foreign policy empowers it to adapt more nimbly to shifting global landscapes.
For instance, Trump’s keen interest in resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict and fostering better relations with Putin could significantly benefit India, given its amicable relations with both Russia and the West. Modi’s endorsement of Trump’s efforts for peace in Ukraine is not surprising, as it aligns with India’s broader interests.
The Ukraine conflict has posed substantial economic and geopolitical challenges for India, complicating its international trade and diplomatic efforts. A resolution to the conflict would alleviate these burdens, stabilizing energy prices, trade relations, and international politics, ultimately benefitting India in the long run.
India stands to gain significantly should a U.S.-Russia agreement materialize concerning Ukraine, leading to eased or lifted sanctions. Such developments could potentially lower oil prices, which is vital for India due to its heavy reliance on imported oil and gas to fulfill energy requirements. Reduced costs could enhance the nation’s economic stability.
India faced criticism from Western nations for refraining from overtly condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a situation exacerbated by India’s notable increase in oil imports from Moscow since 2022. Successfully resolving the conflict would not only fortify India’s ties with Western nations but also help create a more balanced Asia, where China’s influence currently prevails. India hopes that a long-term U.S.-Russia security agreement could alleviate tensions, enabling Washington to allocate more attention and resources for stability in Asia, which faces mounting challenges, particularly from China.
Some Republicans argue for a U.S. pivot away from Europe toward other global priorities. India also hopes that if Trump regains office, he might persuade Putin to adopt a more independent stance in Asia, rather than closely aligning with China and following Xi Jinping’s directives. Such a shift could yield a more balanced power dynamic throughout the region.
Increased European autonomy in security matters could be beneficial for India. If European nations diminish their dependence on U.S. defense and take greater responsibility for their security, it may free up American resources to focus on challenges in Asia. A robust Europe could usher in new opportunities for India across trade, diplomacy, and security collaborations.
India and Europe have significant potential to collaborate more closely on security within regions of mutual interest, from the Mediterranean and Middle East to the Indian Ocean. By enhancing their cooperation in these areas, they could foster regional stability, improve trade security, and jointly address common challenges such as terrorism, piracy, and conflict. This partnership would empower both India and Europe to play a larger role in shaping the future of these crucial regions.
As Trump’s administration unfolds, India and Europe will need to adapt to the changes in global politics that accompany his leadership. His policies could redefine international alliances and security priorities, influencing diplomatic collaboration among nations. This will likely be a critical topic during European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s upcoming visit to New Delhi, aimed at revitalizing and strengthening the historically dormant strategic partnership between India and the European Union, enabling effective cooperation on global and regional challenges.
At first glance, India welcomes the prospect of the U.S. shifting its focus toward Asia. However, Trump’s presidency introduces certain alterations in U.S.-China relations that pose fresh challenges and uncertainties in international affairs. This dynamic could impact India’s strategic interests, necessitating careful evaluation of how these changes affect regional stability and partnerships.
Trump’s openness to fostering a friendly relationship with Xi Jinping generates confusion in Asia. While he expresses a desire to engage with China, his national security team is composed of key Republicans who adopt a stringent approach toward Beijing. This mixed messaging raises uncertainties regarding the trajectory of U.S.-China relations, leaving many nations in the region unsure of what to anticipate.
Recently, as the U.S. government interacted with Prime Minister Modi and other Asian leaders, Washington adopted a firmer stance on Indo-Pacific issues and its approach to China, signaling an intent to counter China’s expanding influence while strengthening alliances with key partners like India.
At the same time, Trump appears inclined to strike a significant deal with Xi Jinping. This raises speculation about the possibility of a broad agreement with China in Asia, akin to his strategies for Russia in Europe. While India may not be as directly impacted as countries like Japan, South Korea, or particularly Taiwan by a substantial shift in U.S. policy toward China, such changes could pose heightened economic and security challenges for New Delhi. This situation will compel India to adeptly navigate its regional position and fortify its own strategies for stability.
During a joint press conference with Prime Minister Modi, an Indian journalist attempted to prompt Trump to adopt a strong stance against China. However, as reported by Foreign Policy, Trump refrained from making any harsh remarks and reiterated his intention to maintain a cordial relationship with Xi Jinping, expressing his willingness to assist in addressing ongoing border tensions between India and China if India solicited his help.
Some in New Delhi believe that a peaceful resolution with Beijing is always possible and that India should continue pursuing it. While this philosophy may be part of a broader strategy of balancing relationships with multiple countries, it may not be entirely practical given the current circumstances. The power disparity between India and China is significant, with China holding a clear advantage, complicating India’s ability to negotiate a fair agreement.
China may make minor adjustments in its dealings with India, but there is little incentive for it to assist India in addressing its challenges. The persistent power imbalance means China benefits from maintaining the status quo, making significant change unlikely in the near future.
This situation underscores that India must fortify its relationship with the United States while also adhering to its strategy of balancing ties with various nations. Strengthening U.S.-India relations could provide India with essential support in addressing strategic challenges and elevate its standing on the global stage.
In response to a potential U.S.-China reconciliation, India seeks to deepen its partnership with the United States. The U.S. is among the few nations that possesses both the capability and willingness to underpin India’s growth and strength. Modi and Trump have already established a foundation for this cooperation, creating a framework for future collaboration between India and the U.S. (IPA Service)
