India’s Strategic Challenges
– N K Tripathi
2025 will not be any other year for India in its diplomatic history. The year was a shocker coming from geopolitical disruption. India was under illusion that a strong strategic partnership with the US has given it a trustworthy stability in International affairs. Trump jolted the 25 years of amicable and rising relationship. Calling India’s purchase of discounted Russian oil as unforgivable and funding Russian war, he imposed 50% tariff in August on Indian imports. India is the only country to face it.
He ignored Indian sensitivities in operation Sindoor. He ridiculed India as a dead economy in spite of being the fastest growing in the world. India is facing trade war with patience and resilience. Its exports are diversifying and in November exports have risen. For economic interest, India diversifies its trade with European and many other countries and looks for several FTAs. Immigration gave a human blow, but it has provided an opportunity of bringing highly skilled talents back to Indian technology.
US abandoned Pakistan after Afghan War, but now Trump is providing succour to it by providing economic help and providing modern fighter jets. He fully knows it will irk India. In connivance with US Pakistan is leveraging its nuclear umbrella to Saudi Arabia. Trump remains a mute spectator in the turmoil of Bangladesh. Trump has not condemned the violence against the minority there, even though he attacks Islamic terrorists in Nigeria to save Christians. Bangladesh is assured of assistance both from America and China. It is likely to get protection of Pakistani nuclear bombs. Trump is going soft on China and earlier US confrontation has given way to a détente. It seems that India has suddenly been isolated. China has refused to act on de-escalation. Pentagon reports that Communist party of China declares that Arunachal Pradesh is of core interest to achieving the “great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation” by 2049. Quad, a forum to counter China is losing its relevance. There is a distrust about the US resolve for India’s strategic concerns in Indo-Pacific. India is facing, more than ever, serious threat from North, West and now East.
India has responded by expanding its diplomatic efforts. Modi held meaningful dialogues in .September with Xi Jinping and Putin at Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit. Putin visited India to reaffirm Russia’s time tested friendship and support. Russia is having a strong bond with China, but is also suspicious of its rise. This brings Russia and India closer. India is taking keen interest in BRICS and ASEAN.
India is not a world power, but is strong as a country. It has been now forced to go for strategic autonomy. It is forced to look inward for its own strength and ambitions. 2026 will be very challenging but not without opportunities.
