​On mute: on the U.S., geopolitical turmoil, India’s response

Context & The Gist

The article addresses India’s restrained reaction to a series of assertive and often unilateral actions undertaken by the U.S. under the Trump administration. These actions include interventions in Venezuela, threats against other South American nations, plans to annex Greenland, and imposing tariffs on countries trading with Russia and Iran. The central argument is that India’s interests are best served not through appeasement, but by a firm assertion of its strategic autonomy, particularly as these U.S. actions directly impact India’s economic and geopolitical interests.

The author criticizes New Delhi’s ‘muted’ responses, highlighting the potential economic and reputational costs of prioritizing a relationship with the U.S. over its own principles and long-term strategic goals. The piece draws parallels to the 2019 experience of curtailing oil imports from Iran and Venezuela under U.S. pressure, arguing that such concessions do not guarantee reciprocal benefits.

Key Arguments & Nuances

• U.S. Unilateralism: The U.S. is increasingly acting unilaterally, disregarding international law and norms in pursuit of its own interests. This includes regime-change operations, economic coercion through tariffs, and aggressive rhetoric.
• India’s Muted Response: India’s responses have been characterized by “deep concern” and travel advisories, but lack a strong condemnation of U.S. actions or a firm defense of its own interests.
• Economic Implications: U.S. actions, particularly tariffs and pressure to abandon projects like the Chabahar port, directly harm the Indian economy and its trade relationships.
• Strategic Autonomy as a Solution: The author argues that India must prioritize its strategic autonomy – the ability to act independently based on its own interests – rather than seeking to appease the U.S.
• Trade Agreement Leverage: The hope for a trade agreement with the U.S. is seen as a key motivator for India’s cautious approach, despite the potential costs.
• Petrodollar Politics: Underlying many of the U.S. actions is a desire to maintain the dominance of the U.S. dollar in global oil trade, countering the rise of alternative currencies.

UPSC Syllabus Relevance

• GS Paper II: International Relations – India’s foreign policy, relations with the U.S., and evolving global power dynamics.
• GS Paper II: Governance – The role of diplomacy and India’s approach to international law and norms.
• GS Paper III: Economy – Impact of global trade policies, energy security, and India’s economic interests in a changing geopolitical landscape.

Prelims Data Bank

• Monroe Doctrine: A U.S. foreign policy doctrine opposing European colonialism in the Americas (mentioned in related article on Venezuela).
• BRICS: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa – an economic and political grouping that seeks to challenge the Western-dominated international order.
• Pax Silica: A hypothetical U.S. high-technology partnership (mentioned in the article).
• Chabahar Port: A strategically important port in Iran, jointly developed by India, Iran, and Afghanistan, providing access to Central Asia.
• UN Charter: The founding document of the United Nations, outlining principles of international law and sovereign equality of states.

Mains Critical Analysis

The article highlights a critical juncture in India’s foreign policy. The aggressive unilateralism of the U.S. presents both challenges and opportunities for India.

Challenges

• Balancing Act: India faces the difficult task of balancing its strategic partnership with the U.S. with the need to protect its own economic and geopolitical interests.
• Economic Coercion: The threat of U.S. tariffs and sanctions creates economic vulnerabilities for India, particularly in sectors like energy and trade.
• Reputational Risk: Appeasing the U.S. at the expense of principles could damage India’s reputation as a responsible global actor.

Opportunities

• Strategic Autonomy: The current situation provides an opportunity for India to assert its strategic autonomy and demonstrate its ability to act independently on the world stage.
• Diversification of Partnerships: India can strengthen its relationships with other countries, such as Russia, China, and those within the BRICS framework, to reduce its dependence on the U.S.
• Promoting Multipolarity: India can play a leading role in promoting a multipolar world order, where power is more evenly distributed and no single country dominates.

The core issue is the tension between India’s desire for a strong relationship with the U.S. and the need to safeguard its own interests in a world increasingly characterized by great power competition. The critical gap lies in India’s reluctance to publicly challenge U.S. actions, even when they directly harm its interests. This hesitancy stems from a perceived need to maintain good relations with Washington, but it risks undermining India’s credibility and strategic autonomy.

Value Addition

• NAM (Non-Aligned Movement): The article’s emphasis on strategic autonomy echoes the principles of the Non-Aligned Movement, which India historically championed.
• SC Judgments: While no direct SC judgment is relevant, the principle of sovereign equality of states, enshrined in international law and often upheld by the SC, is relevant to the critique of U.S. unilateralism.
• Express View on India-US relation: (Refer to Context section) This article highlights the recent strain in India-US trade relations and the need for a pragmatic approach.

Context & Linkages

This article provides context to the current situation by detailing the recent deterioration in India-US trade relations. The stalled trade agreement and US tariffs on Indian goods demonstrate the potential for economic coercion, reinforcing the argument for India to diversify its economic partnerships and prioritize its own interests.

This article sheds light on the underlying motivations behind U.S. actions, particularly regarding oil-producing countries like Venezuela and Iran. The U.S.’s efforts to maintain the dominance of the dollar in global oil trade explain its aggressive tactics and provide a broader geopolitical context for understanding its policies.

This article, while initially optimistic about the Trump administration’s National Security Strategy, foreshadows the potential for increased U.S. unilateralism and a focus on “America First” policies. It highlights the need for India to adapt to a changing geopolitical landscape and strengthen its own capabilities.

This article provides a detailed critique of the U.S. intervention in Venezuela, highlighting the violation of international law and the potential for destabilizing the region. It reinforces the argument that India should not endorse or support such actions, even if it means risking tensions with the U.S.

This article highlights the emerging bipolar world order between the US and China, and the need for India to navigate this complex landscape. It underscores the importance of strengthening ties with both powers while also pursuing its own strategic interests.

The Way Forward

• Public Diplomacy: India should adopt a more assertive public diplomacy, clearly articulating its positions on international issues and defending its interests.
• Diversification of Energy Sources: Reduce dependence on any single energy supplier and explore alternative sources, including renewable energy.
• Strengthening Regional Partnerships: Enhance cooperation with countries in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond to counter U.S. unilateralism.
• Investing in Strategic Autonomy: Increase investment in defense, technology, and economic resilience to enhance India’s ability to act independently.
• Promote Multilateralism: Actively participate in and strengthen multilateral institutions to uphold international law and norms.