Summary
A domestic debate is underway in India over its foreign policy direction. In a Global Roundtable discussion, Wang Shida, Lan Jianxue and Lin Minwang said India's 'multi-alignment' approach has stumbled amid widening US-India differences and the Israel-Iran conflict. The renaming of the US Indo-Pacific Command and cooling of the Quad have left New Delhi feeling 'betrayed'.
Prime Minister Modi visited Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand within a week, while Foreign Minister Jaishankar travelled to the Caribbean and the Gulf before heading to New York. Critics say these efforts have had limited effect. Wang stressed India should 'recalibrate' its diplomacy and manage major-power relations more rationally.
Lan argued that whether under 'non-alignment' or 'multi-alignment', India must clarify the essence of strategic autonomy: adherence to international fairness and justice. Lin said to truly achieve strategic autonomy, India must stand with the Global South, reduce its attachment to the 'Indo-Pacific Strategy', increase investment in BRICS, SCO and other Global South mechanisms, and seek common development with countries including China.
Commentary
India's foreign policy is wrestling with a 'multi-alignment' dilemma. Modi's recent visits to Australia, New Zealand and other nations aim to steady the ship, but a domestic debate on strategic autonomy has flared up. Scholars stress India must stand with the Global South, reduce reliance on the US and deepen engagement with BRICS and the SCO.
This sends a significant signal to New Zealand SMEs. India's annual imports exceed $500 billion, yet two-way trade with New Zealand is only about $2.5 billion, with key barriers such as dairy tariffs above 30 percent. If a diplomatic shift pushes an FTA breakthrough, companies like Fonterra could leverage this populous market.
However, India's policy volatility cannot be ignored: its 'de-hyphenation' from the US is more a tactical adjustment, and domestic protectionism is rising, with a recent surcharge on imported milk powder. SMEs should track FTA progress while hedging political risks through frameworks like IPEF.
Keywords: India, strategic autonomy, multi-alignment, foreign policy, Global South, US-India relations, BRICS, SCO, Modi, Jaishankar
Source: Global Times
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