Is a shift underway in India’s foreign policy?, Pg 11.

Key Highlights:

• PM Modi met Xi Jinping in China — first direct bilateral visit since the 2020 Galwan clashes.
• Modi–Xi–Putin photo-op symbolised geopolitical camaraderie, drew sharp U.S. criticism.
• SCO Declaration opposed “coercive, unilateral economic measures” — reference to U.S. tariffs/sanctions.
• India–China agreed to: resume flights, facilitate visas, restart Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, and address trade disputes; border talks to continue via NSA Ajit Doval & Wang Yi.
• U.S. President Trump mocked India’s participation, linking it to “losing India to China/Russia,” while sanctioning Russian oil imports and imposing 50% tariffs on Indian goods.
• Later in the week, Trump termed India–U.S. a “special relationship,” softening his stance; Modi welcomed the conciliatory tone.
• India to join a BRICS online summit (Sept 8) to formulate a common response to U.S. tariffs.

Detailed Insights:

• Strategic Autonomy: India’s actions reflect its long-standing policy of multi-alignment, not a shift away from the West.
• India–China thaw: Both sides signalling pragmatism — China calling India a “partner,” India de-linking border normalisation from wider cooperation. The SCO/BRICS platforms provide space for recalibration.
• India–Russia–China triangle: Symbolic but yet to translate into revival of formal RIC dialogues.
• U.S.–India frictions: Stem from tariffs, Russian oil imports, agricultural market access, and Trump’s push on Operation Sindoor ceasefire mediation.
• Global optics: The “troika” photo raised concerns in Washington of India drifting towards Eurasian blocs; however, India continues defence, economic, and Quad cooperation with the U.S.
• Way forward: Upcoming UNGA session and scheduling of the Quad summit in India will be crucial to test if tensions ease; outcome may hinge on U.S. reconsidering tariffs and India balancing Russian oil imports with Western pressure.

Concepts Involved:

• SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation): Eurasian political, economic, and security grouping founded in 2001; India joined in 2017.
• Strategic Autonomy: India’s foreign policy doctrine of maintaining independence in decision-making while engaging with multiple power blocs.
• Sanctions & Tariffs: Economic tools of foreign policy; tariffs raise import costs, sanctions restrict trade/finance to alter behaviour of states.
• RIC (Russia–India–China): Trilateral grouping for cooperation; often sidelined but symbolically important in multipolar world order.