India is cautious and exercising strategic autonomy, says expert

INDIA is demonstrating strategic autonomy in the face of US tariffs and is keeping its options open, if possible, to gain optimum benefits from China and the US, said Jayadeva Ranade, former member, National Security Advisory Board (NSAB), former additional secretary, Cabinet Secretariat, and President, 'Centre for China Analysis and Strategy' in an exclusive chat with TNIE.

- Bala Chauhan @ Bengaluru

Speaking about Prime Minister Modi's two-day visit to Japan and China later this weekend - his first in seven years, to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, Ranade said that the PM's visit to Tokyo is very important as there is a lot of interaction between the two countries, meeting of minds and convergence of interests, energy cooperation and aerodynamics. "Japan is also unhappy at the way US President Donald Trump is looking at partnerships in the region. There is a growing concern in Tokyo on America's role if China steps up military action in Taiwan or South China Sea," said the former a