The new year has opened with little respite from the geopolitical turbulence driven by the current U.S. administration. From regime-change operations in Latin America to coercive economic tools against Russia and Iran, Washington’s actions are once again testing the limits of international law — and, more crucially for New Delhi, the credibility of India’s long-held doctrine of strategic autonomy.
Unilateralism as a Defining Feature of U.S. Policy
The recent sequence of events reflects an assertive and often unilateral U.S. foreign policy. The controversial intervention in , accompanied by threats against other Latin American states, has raised alarms globally. Parallel to this, the U.S. Congress is considering legislation imposing tariffs as high as 500% on countries that continue purchasing oil or uranium from — a move that seeks to weaponise trade to enforce geopolitical compliance.
Even outside traditional theatres, Washington has signalled expansionist intentions, including statements about annexing Greenland. Together, these actions suggest a readiness to bypass multilateral norms in favour of raw power projection.
Iran, Sanctions and India’s Strategic Dilemma
The sharpest contradictions in India’s response emerge in the case of . The U.S. has intensified sanctions, condemned Tehran’s handling of protests, and threatened military action. It has also warned of additional tariffs on countries trading with Iran and is reportedly pressuring India to curtail its involvement at the strategically vital , where India has invested heavily to secure access to Afghanistan and Central Asia.
New Delhi’s public stance, however, has been conspicuously restrained — limited to travel advisories and evacuation planning for Indian nationals. The absence of a clear political statement on sanctions or threats against a close neighbour raises questions about India’s willingness to defend long-term strategic interests when confronted with U.S. pressure.
Muted Diplomacy and Its Underlying Calculations
India’s cautious posture can partly be explained by the state of bilateral ties with the . After a tense phase marked by stalled trade negotiations, there is renewed optimism around a possible India–U.S. Bilateral Trade Agreement and India’s inclusion in Washington’s high-technology initiative ‘Pax Silica’. U.S. Ambassador to India has publicly highlighted these prospects, reinforcing hopes of a reset.
From this perspective, officials may see little immediate gain in openly challenging U.S. actions — especially at a time when India seeks strategic technology access and economic concessions.
Economic and Reputational Costs for India
Yet, the costs of silence are mounting. Past experience offers a cautionary tale: in 2019, India halted oil imports from Iran and Venezuela under U.S. pressure, only to see limited reciprocal benefits. Today, renewed threats of secondary sanctions and tariffs directly affect Indian businesses, energy security, and export competitiveness.
Beyond economics, there is reputational risk. As India prepares to host the BRICS+ Summit, its credibility as an independent voice of the Global South could be undermined if it appears unwilling to articulate principled positions on international law and sovereignty.
Strategic Autonomy Versus Strategic Appeasement
India’s foreign policy tradition has emphasised autonomy — the ability to engage all major powers without becoming subordinate to any. The current moment tests that tradition. While pragmatism in diplomacy is unavoidable, repeated acquiescence to unilateral demands risks narrowing India’s strategic options and weakening its partnerships beyond the West.
The lesson from recent history is clear: appeasement of even the most powerful global actor does not guarantee protection of national interests. A calibrated assertion of strategic autonomy — through diversified partnerships, principled diplomacy, and economic resilience — remains India’s strongest safeguard in an increasingly coercive world order.
What to Note for Prelims?
- Chabahar Port’s strategic significance for India–Central Asia connectivity
- Secondary sanctions and tariff-based coercion as foreign policy tools
- Concept of strategic autonomy in India’s foreign policy
What to Note for Mains?
- Critically examine the impact of U.S. unilateralism on India’s foreign policy choices
- Discuss the balance between pragmatic diplomacy and strategic autonomy
- Analyse economic and geopolitical implications of sanctions on India’s external relations
