Strategic Autonomy of India’s Foreign Policy: Contemporary Problems and Challenges
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31305/rrjss.2026.v06.n01.001Keywords:
Strategic autonomy, Nuclear dilemma, Climate Change, Energy security, Transport corridorsAbstract
India has emerged as one of the fastest growing major economies in the world in the twenty first century. With the continued expansion of its economy base, several estimates suggest that India could become the world’s third largest economy by 2031. However, despite sustained economic growth, the realization of the vision of a developed India by 2047 largely depends on how effectively the country responds to emerging security challenges. These new-age threats not only affect national security but also test India’s strategic autonomy and its ability to make independent decisions in global affairs. In this article, three key issue areas are examined: the Asian nuclear dilemma, climate change and energy security, and the geopolitics of international trade. Each of these emerging security concerns has significant implications for the strategic autonomy of India’s foreign policy. The article argues that an assertive and timely response by Indian foreign policy to these challenges will strengthen India’s strategic autonomy, which is essential for achieving the vision of a developed nation by 2047.
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