The Paradox of Autonomy: India’s Balancing Act in an Era of Global Anarchy
By: Prashant Shukla The contemporary global landscape is no longer defined by the rigid polarities of the Cold War , nor the brief, illusory stability of the unipolar moment. Instead, we have entered an era of " strategic anarchy "—a disorderly transition where traditional alliances are fraying, and international institutions are increasingly sidelined by unilateralism. At the epicentre of this churn is India, a nation whose historical commitment to " strategic autonomy " is currently facing its most rigorous test. As New Delhi navigates the volatile waters of West Asian conflict and shifting great-power rivalries, a critical question emerges: is India’s foreign policy still guided by a coherent national vision, or has it devolved into a series of high-stakes, personalised transactions? The West Asian Crucible and Economic Sovereignty India’s domestic prosperity is inextricably tethered to the stability of West Asia. The current escalations involving the United Stat...