Amidst a complex web of global tensions and shifting alliances, India is actively charting its strategic course, particularly highlighted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, China. This visit, the first by an Indian Prime Minister to China in over seven years, occurs against a backdrop of strained India-U.S. relations due to tariff policies and a desire to re-engage with China, signalling a recalibration of India's foreign policy.
India's approach to navigating these strategic waters is rooted in its long-standing policy of strategic autonomy and multi-alignment. This involves maintaining independence in foreign policy choices, engaging with various blocs without rigid allegiances, and diversifying partnerships to avoid over-reliance on any single global power. As the world moves towards a quasi-multipolar order, this approach allows India to navigate complex international relations while safeguarding its independence.
The SCO summit provides a platform for India to strengthen its regional partnerships and address key issues such as regional security, counter-terrorism, connectivity, and economic cooperation. India has consistently emphasized the SCO's core objective of combating terrorism, separatism, and extremism. Despite China's attempts to shield Pakistan from criticism, India has pushed for stronger SCO condemnation of state-sponsored terrorism. This unwavering stance reflects India's zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism, asserting that peace and terrorism cannot coexist.
Beyond security concerns, the SCO summit also presents opportunities for India to promote ambitious regional projects in energy, trade, and connectivity. Many SCO members are key partners in the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), and Central Asian nations and Iran are likely to support Indian initiatives. Moreover, the summit may open avenues for India to gain better market access and strengthen regional connectivity, aligning with its economic aspirations.
However, India's engagement with the SCO is not without its challenges. Balancing relations with China and Russia, while also maintaining strong ties with the U.S. and other Western powers, requires careful diplomacy. India's participation in groupings like the Quad, alongside the SCO, demonstrates its ability to work across geopolitical blocs without committing itself to either camp. Despite recent tensions with the U.S., India is expected to maintain some distance from efforts to steer the SCO in an anti-Western direction, remaining alert to Chinese power and coercion.
Furthermore, the ongoing India-Pakistan conflict adds another layer of complexity to India's strategic calculations. While a U.S.-brokered ceasefire has provided a temporary pause, cross-border violations continue, and the risk of renewed hostilities looms. India's commitment to combating terrorism is further tested by the need to manage its relationship with Pakistan, particularly in the context of China's support for its long-time ally.
In conclusion, India's participation in the SCO Summit 2025 underscores its commitment to strategic autonomy, multi-alignment, and regional engagement amidst global tensions. By actively promoting its interests, strengthening partnerships, and addressing shared challenges, India seeks to play a pivotal role in shaping the evolving global order. This involves carefully balancing relations with major powers, combating terrorism, and promoting regional connectivity and economic cooperation. As India navigates these complex strategic waters, its ability to maintain its independence, promote its values, and contribute to global peace and stability will be crucial in the years to come.
