How India can beat the encirclement trap

New Delhi can enhance its leverage by actively engaging in processes to resolve global conflicts and challenges, and expanding its strategic autonomy

- TS Tirumurti

Is India getting hemmed in on all sides? From what is happening around us, it does look like it is. Advertently or inadvertently.

For one, the US is still unsure of where it wants India to fit into its world view. This shakeup of India’s relations by the US, the likes of which has not been seen since the sanctions on India after our 1998 nuclear tests, has gone beyond merely pushing India to get a good trade deal. The optimists point out that many important aspects of our bilateral relations are progressing well. Others point out that India has lost its geopolitical relevance for the US, symbolised by the punitive tariffs against India for the purchase of Russian oil in disregard of our national interests. The truth is somewhere in between.