India’s strategic autonomy approach in 2025 focused on balancing rather than dominating the international system, drawing from historical experiences. The emphasis was on institutional continuity, economic resilience, and multidimensional diplomacy, as highlighted in a recent European report.
During the Mughal era, India acted as a balancing pillar in a fragmented regional system through administrative cohesion and economic strength, not military expansion. Present-day New Delhi continues this logic by avoiding absolute alignments, investing in institutional continuity, and using economic resilience and diplomacy for geopolitical influence.
India’s evolving foreign policy of strategic autonomy has become a key aspect of its global engagement. By engaging with various entities like the United States, the European Union, BRICS, and G20 simultaneously, India aims for active multi-alignment without dependency on any single bloc.
At international summits like the BRICS and G20, India has advocated for Global South representation, climate resilience, and development priorities. These efforts showcase India’s ability to shape agendas independently, diversify partnerships, and maintain flexibility in a multipolar world.
Political stability under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has enabled India to absorb external shocks and maintain economic resilience despite challenges like aggressive US trade policies. India’s economic growth, with one of the highest rates among major economies in 2025, has been driven by strong domestic demand and investment, reflecting notable resilience in exports and trade.
